Listen and Learn

It's amazing how much can be learned by listening.

Yesterday I attended a Life Group Leader Retreat...definitely a treat. The speaker, a Pastor of Discipleship, talked about how small groups are messy. So true. As a leader myself I was somewhat successful at acknowledging and identifying messes, but didn't always have the perspective or equipment needed to clean them up. As a Mom, that's my job. I kiss boo-boos and wipe the water juicefall off the side of the table. So was I a failing leader? Quite honestly, I was drained. So soon though? Only 2.5 years into it? Well, after listening, and reading, and listening more online, and thinking, and reviewing my notes...I discovered some of my problems. One that jumped out, I'm not journaling. Do you have any idea how much blogging helps me see more than what on the surface? It gets me way down into the roots. As a result, the more I journal, the more I see. The more I see, the more I realize how I need to step back and look at the masterpiece that God is creating.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good,

to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. -Genesis 50:20

Just like Joseph learned, I too understand that God brings good from evil for those who trust Him. I also realize that when messes cause drainage, I have in front of me an environment to allow growth. :) Now I have to commit to the process.

Starting simple. 5 things I'm grateful for today:

1. Waking up to a call from my husband. It's amazing how a simple 30 seconds of hearing his voice brightens my day.

2. The speaker yesterday who filled my brain and paper with applicable information and scripture to assist in equipping me to get out of this "drained" spell.

3. My working washer and dryer for making my life easier.

4. Power House (Childrens Church) and the AWANAS program for helping Max and I "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." -Prov. 22:6

5. The beautiful weather and fresh breeze that flows through my house.

Pee-nitz?

B: Mom, why do I have a pee-nitz?
Me: Um, (think quick Averi because "to keep you entertained" is not a good answer) so you can pee.
B: Why you not have one?
Me: Because I'm a girl and God didn't make us that way.

...and thankfully that is how the conversation ended.

Today we saw what leftover Capri-Sun from the after Soccer game snack mixed with baby powder looked like. Beautiful sticky art on my kitchen table courtesy of.....guess who? Yes, my boy. The one that keeps me on my toes.

Kalee is just my doll. While laminating 160 flash cards this afternoon, she was telling me about what age King Tut got married, had a child, and died. I was amazed that she retained 99.9% of our Ancient Egypt studies last year and asked her how she remembered it. Her response, "I read it in the library book. Mom, sometimes I know more than an almost teenager or a 18 year old, and sometimes I know more than a 28 year old." Ugggh! My little stinker!

These two children have completely different ways of how to keep me on my toes. I love being a Mom. :)

Think, sit and update!

"It's been a month...do you think anymore?"

LOL! Yes, I do. I think all the time when I'm sleeping, showering, driving running. ;) I remind myself daily to put one foot in front of the other, or I'll trip. I miss blogging but honestly the only time I actually sit for more then 30 seconds is when I'm in the car. I put it on schedule to sit this weekend but strangely enough I'm learning that there are only 7 days in a week, 24 hours in a day, and one of me. The busier the kids and I stay, the faster time will go. Not that I'm rushing my life. I'm just rushing the next ___ weeks.

So much to update. Here is the short version.

Kalee went to Camp Rudolph and by what she has told me the Lord moved during those few days. (BTW, the only reason Kalee was allowed to go was because one of my besties was the cabin Mom, her Childrens Minister was the Dean, 3 of her friends were with her, countless teenage girls from the church were junior counselors, and she was a short drive away...but it was her first time away from me.)

I caught cooties. Thought it was poison ivy at first but went to ER and immediately they said it was shingles. Yes shingles, no I'm not old. Well, I guess I am old(er) because....

I turned 28. Max sent me roses, which was a shock. How did I celebrate? Took the kiddos to the pool, soccer pictures, rushed home for the A/C man to come remove my old air conditioning unit. Why?

My A/C went out...the hot week of my birthday and while I had shingles. Reading 90* on the thermostat made me....a grump to say the least! Well, maybe it was the fact we had to replace it. $,$$$ = OUCH!

We signed up to be a part of a home school group called Classical Conversations. All of us are extremely excited! This is the first year I am doing something 'structured' with Bear too. I love the Classical approach and Kalee did great with it this past year. I'm glad that through prayer we were led this direction.

Max is doing well. This time around sure is different. His quality of life. Communication. Strange care package requests. I will say that NO normal (boat on/in water) Navy deployment could ever prepare one for an IA deployment.

AND...last but not least, you know I'm going to talk about Zumba. :) Well, last week I ventured out to a different Y and took a different Zumba instructor. I have favorites but I need to observe cueing and prepare my brain. :)

Sigh....boring blog, I know, but now that your caught up....

I came to my senses...

I love when I invite someone over with little time to prep. Unless it's mi amiga Nikkie from across the street...who gets what she gets when she comes over whenever. Any one else I pretty much go through the same cycle:

panic...ask myself "what was I thinking?"...yell loudly encourage the kiddos while I'm tangled in the vacuum cord and using my left foot to push the coffee table around to get under it, that they need to relocate the 12 pairs of flip-flops, 2 pairs of cleats form last nights practice, the single pink crock by the stairs while I put my yoga skills to use and gracefully look under the sofa for the matching shoe while maintaining deep breathing and vacuum pattern. Remind Kalee to hang a clean towel in the bathroom, Bear to wipe the sink and toilet down-in that order, get disgusted when I step in the tray of 'bug goop' that my Dad and Step-Mom sent them in the most recent package, salsa my way into the kitchen and throw the 3 dirty cups in the dishwasher, drag the nearest towel over the counter, light a candle for a welcoming scent...

...and I came to my senses...

She is a stay-at-home-mom of 3 and has baby #4 on the way. Who am I tryin' to fool?!?!

So I put the vacuum away, kicked the hot wheels to the corner, cranked the A/C cooler and decided to concentrate on finding that Martha/Mary balance because I long to be more like both of them.

Balance. Yes, I said the "B" word...

Finally...it's my turn

Yesterday I got a call from my little Bubby. He was asking about the kids, Max, Fathers Day... and said "If there was a such thing as a worlds greatest Aunt's day, you'd be up for it". I paused, trying not to overreact or anything and said "Did I understand that right?", "Yes"...My kids wondered what was wrong when I belted out one of the biggest screams of my life! AHHHHHH!!!

My brother Joey and sister-in-law Liz (a-BETH) are expecting their first child!

I'M GUNNA BE AN AUNT!!!!

So, since somehow my kids call him Uncle Bubby, does that mean I'm Auntie Sis? o.O Oxymoron huh?!?! I'm whatever that little punkin' calls me. I already love that jumping bean.

Shadow

B: Mom, how do you kill shadows?

Me: What? Shadows aren't alive.

B: It always copies me and I dont like that.

Me: Well, (I pull out an orange) when the sun is here....

B: Why God did that? Nevermind. I just don't like them. They always copy my moves.

Predeployment Pictures

I love him

and he loves me

Daddys girl

My favorite boys

All of us!

For the record, my hair was due for a trim. I love it short!