Friday, May 31, 2013

7 Quick Takes (Volume 238)



1) Drama Queen has decided to give us all Indian names.

Drama Queen: Dad, you are Gray Hair.

Kevin: What?

Drama Queen: Princess Dawdle is Long Legs. Ladies Man is Large Head.

Kevin: These seem kind of obvious.

Drama Queen: They're supposed to describe the person. They all do.

Me: What about Drummer Boy?

Drama Queen: He is Sits With Drums.

Me: These are kinda boring.

Drama Queen: You just don't understand.

Me: Ladies Man should be something with moose.

Drama Queen: Yes! Let's see. He can be Strutting Moose.

Me: Now we're talking.

Drama Queen: I just can't figure out Mom.

Kevin: How about Graceful Beauty?

Drama Queen: Dad, Mom is not graceful. Even she knows it.

She looked at me and I couldn't disagree.

Drummer Boy (mocking): How about Black Hair?

Drama Queen: That doesn't really work because she's only like half black hair, half gray.

Me: Hey! That's not true. I'm at least three fourths black.

Kevin: More like seven eighths. How about we call her Beautiful One?

Drama Queen (rolling her eyes in disapproval): Dad, no.

Kevin: Wise, Graceful Spirit?

Drama Queen: Dad. You don't understand this game. C'mon. Somebody help me. What are adjectives that describe Mom?

Me: How about Pleasant One?

Drama Queen: Mom, no.

Me: I'm not pleasant?

Drama Queen: I want to punch people who are pleasant and I don't want to punch you.

Me: We should call you Squawking Chicken.

Everyone laughed and agreed. Drama Queen succumbed.

Drama Queen: Okay. But what about Mom?

Kevin: Purple Beauty?

Drama Queen: Dad! Let's see. What is true about her? She thinks too much. We could call her Thinking Twitcher.

Me: I am NOT twitchy!

Ladies Man: Or Twitchy Black Hair.

Drummer Boy: She does have black blood in her. We could use that.

Drama Queen: No . . .

Princess Dawdle: How about Thinks Too Much?

Drama Queen: That's too long.

Kevin: No longer than Sits With Drums. How about Thinking Wise One?

Drama Queen: Dad!

We are still waiting for my perfect Indian name. It's a problem for her because she knows if it has Twitchy in it, she'll be toast. Any suggestions? Keep in mind she'll dismiss anything sappy.

2) The day after this conversation, Kevin sang a solo in church. As soon as it was over I got this text from Drama Queen:

Maybe we should change Gray Hair's name to Chief Stud Mean Voice.

3) And now for a lesson in teen politics.

I'm walking through Walmart the other day with Princess Dawdle when it happens.

Princess Dawdle: Oh. I just got the duck face up down.

Me: The what?

Princess Dawdle: Those girls we just passed gave me the duck face up down. It's the way the popular kids rate whether you're cool or not.

Me: So did you pass?

Princess Dawdle: No.

Me: How can you tell?

Princess Dawdle: I got this.


4) It's been pretty quiet at our house this week. All the kids are gone except Drummer Boy who is apparently mourning them, sitting in a dark room watching tv by himself. I don't know, I think we're pretty good company, but whatever. I am so surprised at the extra time I have in my days with the kids gone. You wouldn't believe how much I accomplished the first day! There are fewer interruptions, less housework (I have proof now that they indeed make all the messes!), less cooking, fewer issues to solve, less noise.

But also less fun. Boo. Looking forward to your return, my darling children!

5) I heard our neighborhood owls having a hooting fest. It was so loud I started looking out windows to see if I could find them, but I couldn't.

Man . . . Quick Takes are boring when my kids aren't home.

6) Kevin and I made a trek to Lincoln last night and had the best time accumulating all the stuff I'll need for my trip. That guy is a trooper and probably a better shopper than me. We enjoyed a really good dinner at Cheddar's, but were slightly disturbed by our waiter who sported a handlebar mustache. You ever see something weird on someone, but you don't want to stare at it or seem rude, so you purposely try to look away, but it's near impossible, and yet you're completely grossed out at the same time? I shudder thinking about it. That mustache was just ICKY and I'm not easily repulsed. I can take a lot. He was perfectly friendly and efficient, yet that mustache just screamed EW! When he brought our food and asked if there was anything else he could get for us, we politely said, "No. Thank you," but we were both thinking, "Just get that nasty thing away from our food." Blech!

7) I am super excited to hear my husband preach on Sunday. Yes, you read that right. Kevin will be preaching about worship this Sunday. If you live near us, you won't want to miss it. He's run some of his ideas by me and that guy is a smart cookie hiding behind a piano, I tell you.

Come. Hear Gray Hair speak.

I know he will be wonderful.

And that's all I got this Friday, friends. Enjoy your weekend and take in more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Stepping Into the Unknown


My adventure to Africa begins in ten days.

I'm freaking out a little bit.

I dream about it every night and wake each morning needing a few deep breaths to slow down my heart. As I cross things to do off my list, new details come to mind and get added. I've been to a foreign country before, but not in a culture so different from my own.

I'm excited to learn and experience and see new things, but I admit the vast amount of unknowns scare me some. I don't know the people I'll be traveling with. I don't know what to expect when I get there. I don't know what will be asked of me. I don't know if my heart can take what God may show me. I don't know how to be away from my own people that long. I don't know how life works there. I don't know if I'll be able to communicate effectively.

So many unknowns.

But isn't that how all of life is? I cried leaving my kids in kindergarten because I didn't know what they'd encounter. I hardly slept the night before my first classes in college. I even have a hard time moving the furniture around in my house because what if the new arrangement has a weird vibe? Life constantly throws unknowns at us: health issues we don't know how to deal with, moving to a different community, kids growing up and leaving our watchful care, business decisions and their accompanying ramifications we can't predict . . . the list is endless.

How do we deal with these unknowns? How can I face them without constant fear?

I can't do it myself.

I remember Who goes with me. Always.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Though I step into the unknown, I am never alone.

You aren't either, friend. No matter what you face, if you are a child of God, He will uphold you, strengthen you, help you in the days ahead, good or bad.

As Paul told Timothy, I know whom I have believed and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

I KNOW whom I believe. He is good and His ways are perfect, even when I don't understand them, even when they seem scary. So when I get on that plane in ten days, I'll remember WHO directs my steps, my days, my life. I'll focus on the One who loves me and has a perfect plan. I'll rest in His assurance that He'll be with me every step of the journey.

I pray you carry that same belief and trust, my friend, for when you do, stepping into the unknown might be easier.

I know whom I have believed. Do you? Press on, then, with the confidence of His presence. We are never alone.



Photo Credit: Tom Natt

Friday, May 24, 2013

7 Quick Takes (Volume 237)



1) We attended some graduation parties last weekend. Some of our friends had a little too much fun. Look what we found when we went to leave.


Kevin didn't understand what was so funny. He looks a little Drama Queenish here, don't you think?


Later they boxed him in on every side, and he gave the desired disgusted reaction.

And we all went on with our day.

We had fun with you that day, friends. At least I did.

2) I think we go to Arby's too much. The other day I was ordering and the clerk stopped me.

Clerk: No wrap today?

Me: Nope. I want the bread today, baby.

Kevin: She's living on the wild side.

Clerk: Now, you don't want everything on that, do you?

Me (sheepishly): No. No cheese or tomato. I was just gonna pick it off. It's easier to do on a sandwich than a wrap.

The clerk nodded, proud that she already knew. Kevin ordered and before she even told us what we owed she grabbed a pen.

Clerk: Kevin, right?

Yikes. I promise we only eat out for lunch on Tuesdays, and we go to different places. What in the world? Proof we live in a small town?

3) Our kids were studying hard last week for final tests in school. One night we came home to this, Princess Dawdle's system for learning the elements.




It worked! She only missed one out of 60 questions. Nice job, babe!

4) This week has just been WHOOSH!. Every day my plans get altered. Yesterday alone brought an unexpected doctor's appointment for Ladies Man, a hospital visit to see some friends and a spewing pipe in our basement. With more people in the house, there's naturally more commotion and cooking and laundry. I'm almost looking forward to being out of the country in a few short weeks so I don't have to deal with anything for a while.

You may want to pray for Kevin.

5) Did you know that Old Navy named a shirt after me?! Look at this!


Yes, I see the name comes from a combination of tank and cami, but we don't need to tell anyone that. C'mon. Give me my five seconds of manufactured fame.

On second thought, maybe I should start being called, not just Tami, but THE Tami. I had a little friend who used to refer to me as Tami the Boesiger. This is just a short cut. THE Tami. Can't you just hear the fanfare in the background?

Yes, I need a break.

6) The Beatrice Regional Orchestra concert featured movie scores and Kevin rigged up a projector to play the movie trailers on a big screen behind the orchestra. We got a big kick out of this picture a local reporter snagged, saying she was trying to get Kevin's hands in the same position as Rocky's.


7) I leave for Uganda two weeks from tomorrow. Can you say AHHHHHHHH?! It's like trip central at our house for the next few weeks. Drama Queen leaves on Monday, Princess Dawdle on Tuesday and Ladies Man on Wednesday. Poor Kevin and Drummer Boy get to stay home, although we're talking about spending a few days with my sister's family in July.

Thurston, Nebraska sounds just as exciting as Los Angeles, Washington D.C., or Africa, right?

It will be, when we get to spend time with people we love! I hope we can make it happen.

And that's a wrap for today folks (unless you're at Arby's and that market fresh bread calls your name). Read more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Wrestling with God


People I love are going through major life stress, and though it's surely more painful for them, it affects me, leaving pits in my stomach, tears constantly on the surface, each hurt burrowing within. I really try to buck up, to be strong for them, to remind them (and myself) what is true about God, but I wonder what in the world He's thinking. It's like I'm watching them wrestle with God and there's nothing I can do. I pray, of course, and often, and yet God either tarries or says no. I don't get it and I beg for relief, but none comes. I watch them struggle and because of it, I hurt too, wearing out in my attempts to keep a stiff upper lip.

To be completely honest, it chips away at my faith and it's not even my trial.

Perhaps I'm doing my own wrestling.

I ask why and why not and why now. I wonder how long it's gonna take. I feel disappointed and overlooked and frustrated at how things turn out. I keep telling myself to trust, to hold on, that it's good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. I remember His way is perfect and He is faithful and good and loving, yet I feel irked and down right angry when nothing changes or things get worse.

I hear people say of their answered prayers, "It's a God thing" and I want to scream. Where is the God thing for the people I love? Why hasn't He intervened? Where is His hand? Why does it have to be so hard? Why won't He step in and take care of it the way He could?

Yet I know I have no other choice but to follow Him, to wait for His plan. A life without God . . . who could stand without Him? So I cry and I pray and I plead and I recite verse after verse after verse to recall what is true, to remember His faithfulness. I sing when I don't feel like singing and crack open my Bible every day and write pages and pages in my journal. Like Jacob, I stay in, I keep fighting, I don't let go or give up until God blesses.

. . . Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

Genesis 32:26

Some trials require a lengthy hanging on, a tenacious grip, and so as long as it's necessary I'll keep expecting and hoping and praying. I'll keep believing He is good and gracious. I'll cry along with those who are sad. I'll feel their hurt and beg for God's intervention and know that He is God.

I'm in this until God blesses.

Are you facing something that saps your strength, friend? Are you doubting God, wondering if He hears you? Hang on.

Don't let go until He blesses you.



Photo Credit: jqgill

Friday, May 17, 2013

7 Quick Takes (Volume 236)



1) I was doing last Friday's sudoku in the paper, when disaster struck.

Me: Oh shoot! I just messed it up. I'm stupid. As always.

Kevin (the ever encouraging husband): Now, what is true?

Me: Okay, I'm stupid today.

That's what he meant, right?

2) We are winding down our concert marathon. Five down, one to go. Here's a picture of Ladies Man and the rest of the show choir guys striking their best GQ pose. Ladies Man is second from the left. Never a dull moment, I tell you.


At Tuesday's concert he even put in a plug for the Beatrice Regional Orchestra that Kevin conducts. See #6.

3) Princess Dawdle struggled to get the right balance in her checking account while deducting a purchase. To her credit (Wow, did you see that? I slipped that banking term right in there. I'm a genius!), I must say she was somewhat distracted by her friends in the back seat and subtracting a simple purchase took WAY longer than it should have. She knew it too.

Princess Dawdle: The person who marries me is gonna have to love ME, 'cause I won't be able to do our taxes.

Because that's the only reason a person needs math, right?

4) To kill time, she and her friends decided to compile a Rules for Living list. What do you think of these?

1. Believe in Jesus. (Whew! She's got the most important one down.)
2. Don't be stupid.
3. Marry someone who loves you enough to do your taxes.
4. Don't trust accountants (except Riley's mom--our accountant--who is perfectly wonderful).
5. Wear nice undies.
6. Wear glitter every day.
7. Scratch #6. It could be obnoxious.

5) I've found a new domestic hazard. Now that my kids are pretty much done growing, I can never remember whose clothes belong to who. The girls are constantly wearing each other's stuff and mine. The boys are stealing shirts out of their dad's closet. I have no idea who actually owns what. I'm constantly mixing it all up in the laundry. I can't tell you the number of times Princess Dawdle has brought me a pair of shorts or a t-shirt and said, "Um, these aren't mine. They belong to Drama Queen." And the guys' black pants?! Forget about it! I have no idea whose pants are whose.

The kicker was the day Kevin found Princess Dawdle's sweatshirt hanging in his closet and they all gave me a terrible time about it. Hello? Do you realize what the perfect solution to this problem is? You can all do your own dang laundry!

Except . . . laundry is one (of few) household chores I actually enjoy. I find my little laundry room soothing, with the dryer humming, the birds chirping just outside the window. I can't hear the phone in there and it's an easy place to disappear.

I know. I'm weird.

6) Our last concert of this season is the Beatrice Regional Orchestra concert. We'll be playing movie themes and Kevin hopes to rig up some clips to show as we play them. Should be fun. If you live in our area, come check it out!


7) I leave you today with a little excerpt from one of the concerts we've attended over the last two weeks. This is Ladies Man singing in a men's quartet and who doesn't like them a little men's quartet music? Pardon the shaky video. Kevin must have been very moved. Enjoy.


Have a super weekend, friends, and enjoy more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

It Doesn't Get Any Easier


The sweet, white-haired man opened the door for me, forced a smile, then followed me to the reception desk, his head hanging. He murmured to the woman behind the counter and I heard her say, "It doesn't get any easier, does it?"

"No," he said with a sigh, dragging his body through the waiting room, spotting a woman he knew.

"How ya doing?" he asked, taking a seat next to her.

"Oh, I'm getting along. It's tough," she responded.

"It doesn't get any easier, does it?"

"No. It just gets worse."

They sat there shaking their down-turned heads, their eyes distant and sullen.

"I hear you moved?" he finally offered.

"Yeah. I couldn't stay there."

"Too many memories," he said, really to himself, "Everything reminds me of her, even stuff in the refrigerator."

"Yeah, too many memories," she repeated, "I find myself wanting to come home and tell him what happened in my day, who I ran into, what I saw . . . but I can't."

"I talk to the neighbors."

"But at some point you have to shut the door and be alone," she sighed.

"It doesn't get any easier . . . "

"I guess we can be thankful we had nearly 60 years with them."

"Yeah."

She was called back to a room, but added as she walked away, "Good talking to you."

"Yeah. You too. Take care now."

I wanted to cry.

Loss.

Life is full of it. Though I haven't lost my spouse, I've faced my share of losses throughout my lifetime, not only the death of loved ones, but dreams, hopes, relationships. The longer I live, the greater probability I have for more loss. It's inevitable. I'd be depressed about that except for one thing.

This life is not all there is.

I have hope and joy and real peace because I know WHO holds me and controls the universe.

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

God is using the pain and loss of today and redeeming it in a glorious way I may not see now. But I am promised it won't be wasted.

Are you dealing with loss today, friend? Don't despair. KNOW that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him. KNOW that our present suffering is not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. KNOW you are wholly and dearly loved, seen and heard, and cared for by Almighty God.

It may not get any easier, but it won't be for naught. We won't escape loss, but we can trust God to make it beautiful, to make US beautiful in the grieving, to make it matter.

For eternity.

That's the kind of hope I yearn for, the kind of promise I desperately cling to. How about you?

Do you want to know your pain is not wasted?

Monday, May 13, 2013

Leaning


I lean into her chair.

On those days I feel emotional, inadequate, tired, I lean into her chair, gaining strength from her presence. Sometimes she'll pat my hand, my arm, my thigh, but mostly she just sits there letting me invade her space. Though nothing is said, I find assurance and comfort being near a friend who knows me well.

I do it with my husband too. When I'm anxious or uncertain or insecure, I'll lean into him, soaking in his unspoken acceptance and love. No matter how weak I feel, I know where I stand with him. I know he's on my team, faithful, strong, consistent.

But sometimes the chair next to me is empty.


Sometimes I feel alone in a room full of people, my real self cowering within as I listen. I'm not sure those present would give me the benefit of the doubt, would give the grace or mercy I long for when the day's been long or the night too short and my own strength wanes. And I can't overlook the fact that sometimes you have to do things by yourself. What about those days? When the people who give me comfort are not near and I find myself alone, then where do I lean? How can I find the oomph to carry on with no person who believes the best nearby?

Is it possible to lean into God? It sounds weird, really, the idea of leaning into a Presence you cannot see. How do I learn to lean into Him?

Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You.

Psalm 143:8 (AMP)

I hear His loving-kindness? How? Do I saturate myself with His Word? Do I listen to Truth in song and watch for His goodness and rest in what I know to be true? Do I lay my concerns before Him and cry it out and wait patiently? Will this bring the same peace I feel leaning into a person I love? Will it make my spirit sigh and my breathing slow? Will it usher in calm?

I say yes. And so on the days I find no one to lean into, on the days the task seems scary and my stomach churns, I will lean into Him. I will believe He loves and accepts me. I will be still and know that He is God. I will remember in quietness and trust is my strength. I will search for gratitude when I don't understand and recite His Word when anxiety swells. I will know He never leaves me.

I will lean into Him.

And He will be there.

How do YOU lean into God?



Photo Credit: ana branca

Friday, May 10, 2013

7 Quick Takes (Volume 235)



1) You may recall Drama Queen's amazing talent of choosing what animal people resemble. She has decided I am a meerkat because I have a skinny neck and am "twitchy" (grrrr). She and her siblings have called Kevin a koala bear for years and this week found a picture to prove it. What do you think?


The kids were also mocking Kevin (okay, true confessions, I joined in too) about his eyebrows. He's got some gnarly ones that need trimming every so often and let's just say it was time. Anyway, now that Drama Queen is back home, she's having all kinds of fun tormenting her parents. Look at the Aqua Note she left in the shower yesterday.


2) Lest you feel too sorry for Kevin, I'm getting jabbed as well. The kids always tease me about word bloopers, my own way of not getting out what I mean. Well, Kevin and I were enjoying a beautiful afternoon on our upstairs porch and asked Princess Dawdle to join us when doing her homework.

Princess Dawdle: I would but I need a computer.

Me: You can use mine. But you might need the plugger inner (meaning the electrical adaptor, of course).

Hmmm. They may have a point.

3) Great news, people! I got a picture of Rodney, our rat-tailed squirrel friend!


Poor guy has gone through some sort of trauma. Drama Queen blames it on his carousing mother, Talullah. (You think she's a little bored now that Finals are over?)

4) Kevin: Drummer Boy is a weird texter.

Me: You have a fifty/fifty chance of getting a text back.

Drama Queen: Yeah, but the worst is texting Mom.

Me: What?

Drama Queen: I hate texting you.

Me: Why?

Drama Queen: I always feel like you're suspicious or are looking for something more.

Me: What? How does "I just saw Rodney" have ulterior motives?

Drama Queen: I don't know, it's the way you text short messages or something. I always feel like you're digging for more information.

In a text?! Are you kidding me?! Is it just me or is that a guilty conscience speaking? I want to go on the record as saying I am not a private investigator texter.

Also, I'm definitely NOT twitchy.

5) Ladies Man had to submit some pictures for an end of the year show choir presentation. Here's his baby picture (This was a common expression from him at that age. Yes, you may continue to feel sorry for me and what my children have put me through.)


It all turned out good though, if you don’t count the number of times we tell him to put his shirt on.


6) All our peeps are in the nest for a while this summer and with the stress of school on hold for a while, I expect some crazy business at our house. As I type this, I hear my "boys" hollering about who knows what. I’m hoping there will be at least a little sleeping at some point, cause this girl doesn’t get enough of that as it is. Maybe this is why God is sending me to Africa in June.

And speaking of Africa, I’m finding it weird that I’m being excused from a lot of activities this summer because I’ll be gone. Really? I have to go to AFRICA to get out of doing some stuff? I can't just take some time off?

Maybe I'm testy since I'm starting to freak a little. I leave four weeks from tomorrow. Between then and now I've got like twenty graduation parties to attend, two kids to push through school, three kids to get ready for trips, a few more Bible studies for Ugandan women to complete, three concerts, and a Christmas musical to write. Pray, people, pray.

7) Kevin: You know what would be a wonderful Mother's Day present for your mom?

Drama Queen: You want us to leave?

My stress may be showing.

Or twitching.

Whatever.

With that we're calling it done, folks. I hope you enjoy your weekend and catch more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Sunday, May 05, 2013

Sprinkled and Dunked: A Story About Giving Others a Chance to See


I grew up in a church where baptism was done as an infant. I was sprinkled on the head by my pastor when I was a baby. And all was well with the world.

But as I got older and had kids of my own, it bothered me that I had nothing to do with my baptism. In the Bible, being baptized made a statement about a person's belief in Christ. As a baby I hadn't done that. Would God take my commitment to Him seriously if I wasn't willing to make my own public declaration? I decided I wanted to be baptized again, this time dunked (immersed).

I wasn't sure how to tell my parents. I didn't know if they would understand. Their church didn't dunk. Would they think I was nuts? Would they take it wrong and be offended? Would they find me uppity and ungrateful? It wasn't that I thought my first baptism was wrong. I wasn't critical of the church I grew up in at all. I came to know Jesus through confirmation classes there. But I really wanted to profess that I was a follower of Christ. Being dunked seemed like a good way to do it.

I wasn't sure I could explain it, so I considered not telling my parents about it. I didn't take a chance of hurting their feelings then, right?

Unless they heard about it after the fact and hadn't been invited.

So I told them. I can't remember the conversation now, except for emphasizing that they didn't need to feel obligated to come. I thought my mom probably would, but I didn't know about my dad. I was pretty sure he'd find the whole thing a little crazy, maybe even radical. I told them about it and gave them an out if they wanted one. I was off the hook.

The day of the baptism service came and so did they. Both of them. I was nervous about sharing my testimony, about what they might think of what I said and how they may react to the actual dunking. Would they find me weird, think me off the deep end? Would they feel uncomfortable in a setting they'd never been in before? I swallowed hard, pushing the throbbing heartbeats back to my chest. I knew what I had to do and did it.

Afterwards I was so relieved, thankful we could all get on with our lives. But soon my dad, all alone, walked up to me, a strange look in his eye.

"I'm proud of you," he said and gave me a hug, which wasn't a common occurrence.

It's the only time I remember him saying that to me, not at any graduation or my wedding day or after birthing his grandchildren. "I'm proud of you" came at the baptism I almost didn't invite him to, the baptism where my goal was to declare my faith in Jesus.

Apparently he understood more than I thought.

Why am I so quick to assume others won't get my faith? Why do I think they'll find me nuts if I talk about what God's teaching me or saying to me or changing in me? Why am I afraid to look stupid? Why would I hesitate to invite people to watch me obey God, even if they may not understand it?

They might get it. My dad did.

My baptism reminds me to live my life as God leads and let others in on it. Pussy-footing around those we think won't understand doesn't let our lights shine, does it? We don't give them a chance to see God if they aren't there for it. I've got to share my spiritual life just like I share what's going on with my kids or how my day's going or what great movie I saw. Is there anything more important to talk about?

Who do you need to let in to your spiritual life?

Friday, May 03, 2013

7 Quick Takes (Volume 234)



1) Me (to Drama Queen): Insanity in the morning?

Drama Queen: Nah . . . technically I'm done, but I'll go to the Y with you.

Me (breathing a huge sigh of relief realizing I'll be avoiding the torture of Insanity): Super. Sounds good. At 8?

Drama Queen: Yep.

The next morning I saw nothing of her. About 8:15 I wandered up to her room to find her in bed still.

Me: Did you want to go to the Y?

Drama Queen only groaned.

Me: You don't have to. I just didn't want to leave you if you wanted to go.

Drama Queen (feeling pity or guilt, I'm not sure): But I don't want you to have to go by yourself.

Me: Uh, I think I can handle it. I've been going by myself for nearly 20 years!

Is this a sign she's finding me elderly and needing a "companion" for daily tasks? Wait, don't answer that.

2) It's been a week of concerts for Princess Dawdle. Tuesday night was her Band Concert. Doesn't she look all grown up?


She's LOVING her new saxophone. And she sounds super!


Last night was a vocal concert. She's all business, I tell you.


She did a nice job on her solo too. Great work, babe!


3) So I was driving around in our Pontiac Vibe the other day, my purse resting in the passenger seat, when I noticed my passenger side seatbelt light kept blinking. What?! My purse is as heavy as a person?

(To my dear chiropractor friends, please don't worry or chide me. Would you believe me if I said I carry it with both hands, thus keeping myself balanced? Yeah. I wouldn't either.)

4) Not only is our neighborhood home to the amazing owls, we also have TONS of squirrels. The other night while relaxing on our back porch, we spotted an unusual one in the tree next to us. It was a small squirrel without fur on its tail. Think squirrel body, rat tail. Weird. And it wasn't too shy, staring us down only a few feet away, close enough that I wondered if it would jump at me. My kids decided it needed a name and dubbed it "Rodney."

Now it's not unusual to have at least half a dozen squirrels running around in our yard at any given time and normally I don't pay any attention or distinguish them from each other, but two days later as I was pulling out of the driveway I spotted that rat-tailed squirrel and had to text everybody immediately.

"I just saw Rodney!"

The texts flew back. My favorite came from Drama Queen's boyfriend who she teases about being a genius.

The Boyfriend: Is his fur growing back?

Me: Apparently not since I recognized him.

The Boyfriend: Good point.

His blood sugars must have been low! Just kidding, dear boyfriend! Who knew a little thing like an abnormal squirrel could be so entertaining?

5) And speaking of little entertaining things, I had the pleasure of having a 3-year-old buddy help me make brownies yesterday. I pushed a chair up to the counter for him to stand on and got the ingredients out.

Little Buddy: I smell sumpin'. Oh wait, it's just you.

Me: Is that good or bad?

Little Buddy: Mmmm . . . I don't like it.

He was easily distracted from my stench, however, as I gave him the job of pouring the oil and water in. When I reached for the kitchen shears to cut the brownie mix open, he looked at me with big eyes.

Little Buddy: I don't get to cut. I'd cut my finger half off!"

You think he's heard that somewhere before?

6) Later Little Buddy was joined by his brother, my two nephews and all my kids. It was a hopping place, I tell you. The little boys were out playing with my big boys and it was so fun to hear them all laughing. I thought my dinner table was crazy with my own kids, but add four little boys 8 and under and wow, it was exciting!

I feel the need to apologize to the mothers of said little boys though. They may or may not have been convinced we have rats living under our dining room. They may have been encouraged to repeat songs you don't like and they might drive you crazy looking for Rodney.

7) I can't believe it, but my baby, my little guy who could wiggle his ears at two-years-old, my kid who banged the table so many times to frighten his siblings they wouldn't react to a sonic boom now, my Drummer Boy turns 23 on Sunday. 23!!! How can I have a child this old? I wish I could claim I was a teen mother, but I wasn't. Not even close. Now he's a man, with a beard and everything! How did this happen?

I'm not gonna stress over it too much. He still gives his mommy the best hugs. Happy birthday, Drummer Boy. I love you.


And with that, another week concludes. Hope your weekend is splendid and you enjoy more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.