7 Quick Takes (Volume 98)

1) I hit a milestone this week. It's been TWO YEARS since Drummer Boy left our house for college and I think I've finally figured out how to do this mother of an adult child thing. It's taken me two years to trust the guy's judgment. Why? Remember how I said my word for the year was TRUST? Uh huh. I'm learning. Praise the Lord.

Now I get to start all over again with Drama Queen next fall. Ugh. Did God know what He was doing or what when He spaced our kids each three years apart?

2) One reason I shouldn't let Ladies Man be in control of the camera.



3) I got to see a parenting tactic pay off! We've stressed 2 Timothy 2:23-24 to our kids. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. It's one scripture sure to get an eye roll and/or heavy sigh in our house. I must admit I haven't seen much fruit from the strategy until this week. We were sitting at the dinner table and Drama Queen tried to make a point no one was buying. Before long frustration set in.

Drama Queen: Why is it whenever there's a family argument everyone gangs up on me?

Me: You're the only one arguing.

She shoved her chair back, exited the dining room and flung her hands in the air.

Drama Queen: I'm walking away from foolish and stupid arguments. You're welcome Jesus.

4) Ladies Man stole a carrot off my plate.

Me: Hey!

Ladies Man: The Mama Bear needs to feed her cub.

Kevin sat down with a glass of lemonade.

Ladies Man: Papa Bear, can I have drink? You've got to provide for your cub.

Kevin: When does the cub learn to get his own?

Ladies Man: A Mama Bear can't let a cub catch his own fish.

Kevin: I bet you leech off of us a lot longer than a bear cub does with his mama.

5) Much to the annoyance of us all, Ladies Man was not done.

Ladies Man: I have a bear family. My bear name is Cody Dean. They call me CD or RAWR!

Oh brother.

6) Drama Queen made my day telling me about how she's ready to be done with high school. Shocker, huh? She relayed the latest expectations she's not meeting of her friends and the frustration she feels over trying to keep everyone happy.

Drama Queen: I told my friend this is why I'm ready to be done with high school. I mean, I'm not ready to move out of my house and all, but I am so done with high school drama.

Did you catch it? She's not ready to move out of her house! Woo hoo! She loves us!

7) My husband's not a big sports fan. In fact, he gets highly irritated when he has to reschedule choir rehearsal because of the Super Bowl. Those of you who know Kevin well will get a kick out of this.

Ladies Man: Hey Dad, the NFL season starts tonight.

Kevin (as if he's just spilled a shake in his lap): Neat.


Do the poor guy a favor and watch a football game for him so he doesn't have to, okay? Have a great weekend and catch more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Prescription for A Meaningful Life

But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard--things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

Galatians 5:22-23, 25-26 (The Message)

Photo Credit: bench_30

How Long?

She's twelve.

Still so very sweet.

Dispensing hugs and kisses like gum.

Saying, "I love you Mom" more often than sneezing (even during allergy season!).

Asking me what I think she should do.

Laughing at my goofiness.

Wanting to sit in the front seat when I'm driving.

Finding me cool enough to dress just like me.

But how long will it last? When will adolescence steal her agreeable nature? How many years before I turn from Wonder Woman into the Wicked Witch of the West?

Maybe never.

Oh sure, we'll have our bouts. She'll roll her eyes and say it's not fair. She'll stomp up to her room and tell her friends I'm a grouch. She'll long for escape from my lectures and tire of me asking if her homework is done.

But her essence won't change. I've learned that lesson from her older sister. I may have to look harder, but the same little girl will always live in her skin.

She may not always like me, but her love won't waver.

If I remember that and act accordingly, we'll be okay.

Stop

I wake up at 4:30 AM.

Often.

Like nearly every day.

For no apparent reason.

Some mornings (Can we really call it that? There's no sun, no birds chirping, no aroma of coffee, no rooster crowing, nothing awake in the entire universe. And we call it MORNING?!) my mind keeps rhythm with my heart, recalling with great speed the worries of the day. My mental calculator computes upcoming expenses. Activities and responsibilities land punches to my gut. I lie there, too tired to get up, too tense to sleep.

I curse my blasted hormones, roll over and release a heavy sigh. The to do list I didn't finish the day before floats into memory and I add to it, my breathing accelerating.

I try to shake it from my head, roll over and release a heavy sigh. I remember the towels I left in the washer the night before. Drat.

No Tami. Stop thinking. Relax.

I flip my pillow, roll over and release a heavy sigh.

But some days I remember the right way to tackle my annoying early morning wake-up call.

Stop fighting,
stop resisting,
stop complaining,
and start trusting your sovereign heavenly Father;
refuse to worry.”

Chip Ingram

I endure patiently. I let go.

I stop thinking.

Stop mulling.

Stop worrying.

I say a prayer, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.

Sleep doesn't come and I wonder how I'll get through the busy day ahead.

I meditate on scripture, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.

I watch the numbers on the clock change and rub my eyes.

Then, I whisper the name of Jesus, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.

Eventually I'll get it. Practice makes perfect, right? Maybe one day I'll thank God for the before-the-crack-of-dawn party He provides.

Because one day I'll know that's when I learned to TRUST.


To read other impressions of this quote, join our host Kathryn at Expectant Hearts.

Photo Credit: ladybeames

7 Quick Takes (Volume 97)--The Wedding Edition!!

1) We had a FANTASTIC time last weekend when my brother Jeff got married. Here he is with his sweet, lovely bride Trisha. Don't they look happy?


I've always thought he looked a bit like NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon. Don't ya think?

2) My brothers are twins. Here's the ying to Jeff's yang--Jason and his wife Jaime.


When our brothers were born I was ten and my sister eight. We were thrilled to each get our own real live baby. Teri was afraid of handling Jeff since he was very small at birth, just 4 pounds, 1 ounce, so I claimed him. Jason became her baby.

It's weird, but my sister-in-law Jaime looks more like my sister than I do. Here's proof. Teri is the blond to the right of me. (The adorable dimple girl on the left is my cousin Jami who we grew up with.)


Kevin pointed out at the wedding how Teri and I resemble our "baby's" wife more than we do each other. Funny! So Trisha, you and I have this odd pairing now (lucky you!). Brunettes unite!

3) I'm feeling a little guilty glossing over my cousin Jami like that (she was so much a part of my childhood, we're almost like sisters), so I should back up a bit. I grew up with a close extended family. We spent weekends together all the time. Our aunts, uncles and cousins were our social network. To this day the whole smack of us gets together once or twice a year. It may sound odd, but my kids are very familiar with my cousins' kids. I love it! They are a fun bunch of people as you can tell by this.


Nearly all the people in this picture are my relatives. I see my aunt, my nephew, lots of cousins and their kids. If you look closely you can see Kevin's and Drummer Boy's heads. I'm in the mix somewhere. Do you see Miss Innocent One towards the back with the yellow sash?

Drummer Boy had to take a picture with my cousin Jill. He was the ring bearer in her wedding fifteen years ago. She's taken great delight in hounding him ever since, never missing an opportunity to embarrass him with a hug or kiss, even in his high school years. By the looks of this picture, I don't think he's minded all that much.


4) And speaking of fun times with cousins, my kids had a great time hanging out all weekend with my siblings' kids. In our childbearing years, my sister and I took turns having four kids each (I had one, she had one, I had one, she had one . . .), so our kids are pretty close in age, but Jason's kids are much younger at 5 and 3. The age difference and the distance Teri's family lives from us hasn't prevented our kids from developing close relationships as these pictures confirm.














Somehow my youngest and Teri's youngest were not in that mix, but here's proof they were there. Drummer Boy got a little camera happy. Poor Miss Innocent One didn't know what hit her!


Here's my niece Sweet Cheeks taking advantage of the dollar dance to have Uncle Jeff all to herself. Isn't she sweet?


Boy, in this picture my brothers do look like twins.

5) Here's the woman responsible for it all. I LOVE it when people tell me I look like her. What a classy lady.


It's all your fault, Mom. THANK YOU!

6) The only downer to the day was the absence of our dad and Trisha's mom who passed away from cancer five and six years ago respectively. More than a few tears were shed over the lack of their presence.

Dad and Nancy--you were missed.

7) All in all it was one of the best weekends we've ever had.


I am overwhelmed with God's goodness. My family is wonderful. We felt like a real unit. My heart smiled at the way our kids are so familiar with each other and I don't think I've ever seen Jeff so happy. Plus I had some tender moments with my brothers I will treasure forever.

Welcome to this crazy tribe Trisha and congratulations to you and Jeff! Thanks for getting married and throwing this amazing shindig reminding me how awesome my family is. We love you and are happy for you!

And anxiously awaiting more cousins!

Looking for more Quick Takes? Wander over to Conversion Diary.



P.S. I should give credit where credit is due. I didn't shoot ANY of these pics. They came from Drummer Boy, my cousins Leigh and Jami, and a shot or two by Kevin and Miss Innocent One. Thanks for capturing some great moments!

Soothing Sounds

A sleeping house.
Thunder mumbling in the distance.
The words "I love you."
A gurgling stream.
A fan softly whooshing.
Rain cascading to earth.
Blessed quiet. (Is silence a sound?)
The Truth.

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

May you soothe your soul with some Truth today.



Photo Credit: A Brief Moment in Time

It Takes So Little

"I had to call you," he said, "You were someone who popped into my head when the pastor said to write down names of people who've molded you."

I racked my brain trying to figure out how I had done anything to mold this guy. I've taught high school, youth group and Bible studies in my life time, but he hadn't been part of any of them. He is my elder, someone I look up to.

"One day after church you said something. You might not even remember it, but you gave me a compliment that changed how I see myself. That comment was the beginning of me thinking I could minister to people."

A short interchange after church was enough to convince this man he could be used by God.

It takes so little to affect a life.

Another woman brought a piece of cardboard to Bible study. It came as a backing on a calendar she ordered. On the cardboard was a poem about being unique, the only one God created exactly like you. She told us she saved it and keeps it handy by her computer so she can pull it out and read it often.

A piece of cardboard most people discard changed the way she sees herself.

It takes so little to affect a life.

It motivates me to say the things I'm thinking when I talk to people. I should have told my friends how beautiful they were to me when we had lunch the other day. I should tell the guy on worship team what a great job he does. I should tell my daughter how I admire her spunk. I shouldn't hesitate to compliment the young woman on her gorgeous hair or let the guy who works so hard know that I notice.

It takes so little to affect a life.

How might you change someone's life today?



Photo Credit: Nestor M