What Are You Planning?

During the course of normal parenting, have you started to keep a list of the things you will do someday when you are visiting your then-adult children's homes?

I must admit that I have started to make plans. Here are some of them...

• Make sure to tell them that I don't like what they cooked.


• Leave my shoes everywhere.


• Change my clothes multiple times.


• Look in a totally different direction when they are talking to me.


• Tell them that I no longer like to eat _____, even though I have already eaten half of what was given to me.


• Carry dry, crumbling leaves into the house.


• Leave lights on when I leave a room.


• Leave toilet paper holders empty.


• Hide dishes until the dishwasher has been started.


• Hide clothes or linens until the washer is almost done.


• Suggest to their children, that they get the shopping cart that looks like a car and is near impossible to drive through the aisles.


• Eat from their plate and drink from their glass, bottle, water bottle...perhaps leaving a souvenier behind.


• Leave any kitchen messes or spills just where fate created them.


• Just after they sit down, I will sit really close to them and roll around on them, making sure to embed my elbow in the most uncomfortable places.


• Walk in on them in the bathroom and the shower.


• Make sure I bring my friends Nobody and Somebody with me, because they are the ones that create all the havoc.


• Start talking to them or singing whenever they pick up the phone.

Well, as I look back over this list, it is apparent that I have thought about this a bit. Now, you know I won't do this stuff...while it may be tempting on that first visit. I will, though, continue to threaten them with such behavior until they adjust their attitude about what I have cooked.

Honestly, as I consider all of these "challenges" to parenting, I am overwhelmed with the appreciation for the blessing of kids. They teach me so much and I know that any inconsistencies that show up in their actions are because their teacher has been inconsistent, ineffective or both. Genesis 33:5 reminds us that children are a gift from God and it is my job to train them up in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). I will continue to do so faithfully, and imperfectly, knowing that when they are old they will not depart from it (as Proverbs 22:6 continues and promises). Secretly, I will also pray that they at least behave proprerly at the homes of others...because I am vain, and that shows they can apply the lessons learned at home. I'll take any signs of progress, people.

My New Follower (of the blog...not my cult)

I have to introduce you to my new follower...my grandma. She is 85 years old, we all call her "Granny", shares a birthday with my second daughter (shown in the photo)and she enjoys Twinkies.

I had the privilege of visiting her in Jonesboro, AR this past weekend. I managed to squeeze in a little one-on-one girlfriend time with her one morning...laughing about my life as a wife and mom, sharing how she managed to raise six kids (only one of them a daughter, my mom). Talk eventually turned to this blog.

I booted up my cousin's computer sitting nearby and shared my posts regarding my birthday gifts. I then brought my sister's blog up on the screen. It was so fun to laugh with her! After reading a few posts, I asked her if she needed a break or really didn't want to know that much about either my sister or myself. She looked at me and said, "I can't know enough about you." Made me weepy...so thankful for technology. So, I promised that my sister and I would keep our respective sites updated (Did you get that, Falula?). This will allow us to visit with her a little more often.

Now, if I could just get her to start a blog...

"We Should Have Named You Grace"

"We should have called you Grace". Yep...that's what my mom said to me upon hearing of another of my clumsy mishaps. You see, I have this propensity...really a superhero-type power...at falling and other crazy acrobatics...over things unseen even. Take yesterday as an example.

I shut my hair in my car door. Now, before I describe what really happened...I am dying to know what you visualize based only upon that sentence. Was I inside the car or outside? Was it the bangs or a side section...or a pony tail? Was the car running? My husband assumed I was outside the car and wondered how I got loose. Anyhow...on with the facts.

I jumped into my van to run an errand. Always trying to live up to the maternal expectation of "multi-tasking"...I decided to close the door while leaning towards the door so that I can remove my cell phone from my front right pocket (another super-hero power of mine...long, run-on sentences). Impressive, eh? Imagine my surprise just after the door closed and the phone had been extracted, when I go to straighten up in my seat and feel the painful tug of my head, by my hair, back to the door. My first thought..."Did anyone else see that?" Of course, I couldn't look around to find out. I quickly opened the door, pulled my barely-hits-the-shoulder tresses out, closed the door, started the car and drove away...to live another day to assault...myself.

With a Kid's Eye

I love how kids look at things. A couple of days ago, my 3-year-old pointed out to her aunt that she could still see the moon in the morning sky. She then commented that it was broken...because it was only a half-moon.

I am Blessed

So, have you been keeping up? While I realize that blogging really seems to be a self-centered enterprise, my hope is that my ramblings will help you recognize the blessing that have been placed in your life. As I wrap up this series of entries, there is still the most important gift in my life to be ooohhhhed and aaaahhhhed over...the gift of Jesus.

In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul quotes Old Testament scripture to remind us that every person has sinned in some manner through their character, conversation and/or conduct. I know I have failings in each of those categories on a daily basis. Paul goes on to share the Good News, though, in Romans 5:8..."while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

So, I am thankful to God for the many blessings in my life...those described throughout the week and those still unmentioned. But, I am most thankful for God's love for me, a sinner...poured out through the sacrifice of his perfect and holy Son, so that I can look forward to eternal life (John 3:16).

They Got My Back

Well, the birthday celebration rages on...even though the big day was two days ago!!!

Today I want to give thanks for all of the special ladies in my life.

Let me start with my sister. She and I are total BFFs! While it was not always that way (you can read just one incident here), it is that way now. While we live time zones apart, we keep in touch through text messages, pictures on the phone, e-mail, Facebook and good old fashioned phone calls. Every visit is anticipated and relished. We don't necessarily agree with each other on all of life's issues, but we love and respect each other...always willing to listen and learn from each other. Jodi is creative, smart and one of the funniest people I know (second to my dad). (Pssst....don't tell her that I said any of that, ok?)


My two sisters-in-law (or is it sister-in-laws?) are two more special people that I can always count on. While I don't get the chance to spend much time with them, they are always nearby with an e-mail and a prayer. They are quick to send cards and flowers during tough times and I always learn something from them that helps me be a better mom. Remember...they were raised by one of my favorite Titus 2 women!

Then, there are all my sisters (or sistas!) that I'm not related to but could not be closer to. They too have been there in good times and bad. We encourage each other as wives, moms, teachers and followers of Christ. They have character and the courage to live that character out in their daily lives. I appreciate so much their efforts to always be working on themselves and their willingness to serve others.

I am thankful for each and every one of these special women...they have certainly played their part in building this cathedral (she's a brick...howwwse....oops! sorry! could not resist), whether they know it or not.

His First Builders

Remember my top earthly priority? (If not, go here.) Well, two of the major reasons that he is the man that he is are my in-laws.

Many of my friends have had distressing in-laws issues, but God has blessed me in this area of my life too. My father-in-law is the friendliest guy you will ever meet...in fact I don't believe he has met a stranger yet. And my mother-in-law is the picture of a Titus 2 woman. I always learn something when I am around her. They have been loving towards me from the moment that I met them. I never feel as though I am being judged or am falling short of any expectations they may have for the wife of their son and mom of three of their grandchildren.

Speaking of the grandkids...they are adored by all of them. Grandpa and Grandma grab the kids and dash away with them for a long weekend. They spend their days celebrating "backwards day" where they start with dessert for breakfast and end with breakfast for dinner...going fishing...swimming...having a birthday party for everybody. This is on top of them attending school and sporting events...going garage saling with Grandpa...making cookies, having tea parties and playing games with Grandma. They, too, are setting the bar high for us as future grandparents.

They will be celebrating their forty-fifth wedding anniversary this year. They continue to serve others in countless ways...such a wonderful example for the rest of us. I thank them so much for the man they raised to be my best friend and I thank God that they are a part of my life.