Pickles

Last week one of my blogger friends, Paula, published a post called To Bean or Not to Bean in which she explained that she and her husband discovered that after 5 1/2 years of eating chili without beans because each thought the other one didn't like beans in their chili, they both like beans in their chili.  After reading her post, I thought about how well Hubby and I know each other.  I commented to her that although we have known each other since the 7th grade, we are still learning things about each other and that keeps things fresh.  I must confess though, that I  felt pretty confident that I had Hubby's food likes and dislikes down to a science.  I have been aware for quite some time that Hubby does not like pickles. He orders burgers with everything minus pickles, he doesn't eat relish, he does not like pickles. This afternoon we came home from church and made sub sandwiches for lunch. Princess got out the jar of pickles and asked me to put some on her sandwich. There were only a few left so I used the rest of them and left the jar full of pickle juice on the counter. As I finished making the sandwiches, Hubby walked in and picked up the jar of pickle juice. He said, "Are you done with this?" To which I said, "Yes, if you want to pour out the juice and recycle the jar you can." He then did something so shocking, I still can't believe it. He took a big drink of that pickle juice out of the jar! When I could find my words, I said, "But you don't like pickles! Why would you just do that?!" Hubby says, "I know, but I like the pickle juice." What?!! I have known this man for 23 years and we've been married for almost 9. How did I not know this? Did aliens take over his body?

See this picture of Hubby and me?  This was taken only 2 weeks after the wedding...our first Easter.  Look at how young and in love we were!  I married a real stud!  A stud who apparently likes to drink pickle juice even though he does not like pickles. 

Well, I guess I can truly say that after all of this time, we are still keeping each other on our toes.  We're still learning new things about the other one and that is a plus.  I don't want there to be a day that things are so predictable that we become stale.  So here's to learning new things about each other and loving every moment we spend together!  Even if it's just about pickles.

Who Said My Kids Could Grow????

As you all know, lately I've had the "My babies are going to kindergarten" Blues.  It's hit me kind of hard how quickly they are growing up.  It has made me notice every little detail of their growth lately.

~Who said they could grow so much that they don't need a steppy stool to reach the bathroom sink?

~Who said they could become so independent that they can make their own sandwiches and snacks?

~Who said they could use big words like "phenomenal" and in the right context?

~Who said they could begin reading?
~Who said they could have their own ideas about how to problem solve and do things?
~Who said they could sprout up to look like big kids?!

This Mommy is not happy that they seem to be needing me less and less but I swell with pride when I look at them and see the neat little people they are.  I also realize that there are still plenty of things they do need me for.

~They still need me to remind them to wash their hands before dinner and to pick up their dirty clothes off the floor.

~While they are reading some, they can't read their own bedtime stories yet.  That is my privilege!
~They still need me to lovingly pack their lunchboxes and to be sure they are eating more than just gummies and cookies.
~They still need me to tuck them into bed at night with lots of hugs and kisses.
~They still need me to kiss their boo-boos and put on the band aids. 
~At the end of a long, hard day, they still need my lap to crawl up into and for me to wrap my arms around them and tell them it's all going to be OK. 
I hope these are all things I get to do for a long while.  I know that as they grow, my name will change from Mommy to Mom and they will do some of these for themselves.  The great thing is that they will need me in new ways and that brings me comfort. 

My Bible

I love my i-phone.  Hubby bought it for me this summer and I love all of the information that is at my fingertips any time I want it.  I can check email, facebook, the news, get directions...Technology is a wonderful thing.  One of my favorite apps is a Bible that I have put on my phone.  It really comes in handy if I need to look up a verse and I don't have my Bible nearby.  On Sunday mornings I can follow along with Pastor on my phone and then I can take notes right there on my phone and flag the scripture that goes with it.  I love that it is all right there at my fingertips and I don't have scraps of paper to try to file, or papers hanging out of my Bible with little scribbles of ideas but don't know what to do with them.  But this morning, I pulled out my actual Bible.  The first Christmas after we were married Hubby gave me a navy blue leatherbound Bible with my name stamped on the front.  As I open the pages, I see notes I have scribbled on its pages, bent corners, an inscription Hubby wrote when he gave it to me...all of these are precious to me.  I love the feel of my Bible.  It has seen me through a lot of hard times and has been a constant in my life as I grow in Christ.  I love to read the notes and think of what I was learning at this time or another.  I love the feel of the pages, the crinkle sound they make as I turn to another page.  There's just something familiar and comforting about my Bible.  Technology is constantly changing and it makes our lives easier and more efficient but some things never change.  While it is convenient for me to use my iphone to organize thoughts and notes, that phone will never replace my Bible.  As I sat this morning in prayer, I had my Bible on my lap and I thanked God for this special, living book that carries His words to me each and every day.

God Never Changes

Change is hard.  Yet everywhere I look, things are constantly changing.  There have been some major changes in my life since my two favorite little people have started kindergarten.  It's hard to get used to not having two little shadows with me all the time and it's so quiet without them!  My school has started back and I've added more job responsibilities, going back into the classroom, which I love, but it's still a huge change.  Add to that the fact that I will be 35 in a few weeks, let's just say that things are a little turbulent for me right now.  This time of transition leaves me feeling unsettled, as I struggle to find my place and find some kind of a new "normal." 
This morning during my quiet time I received a word from God.  His reminder came through one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado.  Max's quote for today was "When everything else in your life is changing, God never changes."  That gives me such comfort.  God is always the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  His promises are sure and He is always there.  So no matter what is going on in my life, I can always count on God's presence in my life.  I can always rely on Him to keep me company, to help me figure out who I am and what I am supposed to be doing and even to help me deal with turning 35. 

Send the Rain

The sky is getting darker and it is about to rain.  As I drove home from work my prayer was "Lord, bring the rain.  Refresh my soul and rain down upon me until I can't separate what is me and what is You."  I need that intimacy, that closeness.  I have been so wrapped up in me lately, that I haven't spent the time with Him that I should.  I'm so sad that the twins started kindergarten.  I'm so busy starting a new year at the preschool.  I've gotta get the house clean and the laundry done.  I, I, I.  However, the last few days I have felt Jesus tugging at me saying, "Come to me.  Come sit with me.  Share your heartaches and challenges with Me."  In worship yesterday, Pastor preached about this and it spoke directly to me, as I have had this on my heart the last several days.  I've missed that special time with Jesus...the quiet the two of us share before the rest of the house wakes up.  God has been calling me to Be Still but I've been a busy little bee, packing lunches, folding clothes, etc.  It's all so tempting to try to see how much I can get done before work and school start.  But I've missed my friend Jesus, sitting in his presence and sharing my heart in the stillness.  This is what charges my batteries and offers my soul the refreshment I need. 
Jesus never gives up on me and I am so thankful for that!  He will continue to speak until I'm ready to listen.  Rachel, from Seeking Peace spoke to my heart this afternoon with her blog.  Go visit her there and be blessed!

First Day of School ~ Success!

It finally happened.  My babies went to kindergarten this week...and we all survived!  In a quick change of plans, we were told that the twins could not attend the out-of-area school we had applied for due to class sizes.  Since our neighborhood school was not an option for us, we decided to send them to a local private school.  Much of this week has been devoted to getting them enrolled.  Yesterday was their first day and it was quite a rough day for Mommy. I tried to be brave, but as my babies walked right into their new classroom, giving their Daddy and me hugs and kisses and then pretended not to need us, I lost it. Sweet Hubby stayed home from work to help me through the day.
My little Princess who was so nervous decided that she likes kindergarten after all and she was amazed that she has made friends already.  I had no doubts that my little social butterfly would have friends but I was still worried about her.  She said her favorite part of the day was P.E.  Prince said that his favorite part of the day was recess.  He is crazy about the playground they have at his new school. 
There's something about walking into this Christian environment, where the teachers are telling students to "have a blessed day" and each classroom has kid praise and worship music playing to get ready for the day.  I'm so glad that God opened this door for us.  I feel that He has led us to what is best for our children for this year. 
It was easier to leave them this morning, but it feels so strange not to have my little shadows with me all day.  When I left work this afternoon, I had a bit of time before having to pick them up.  The house had this strange quiet.  I guess I'll get used to it, but it's weird for me now. 

Ode to the Busy Mom

There are mountains of laundry that need done today.

We have clean clothes, but they aren't put away.

The dishes are done, but more are being dirtied.

I wish things in my life weren't so hurried.

The kids are whining, they need that, they need this

I've got tons of deadlines, none of which I can miss.

The kids are going to kindergarten this year

And I have already started with the tears.

Hubby says, "You're gonna cry for the next ten days?

'Till they start? You're gonna make me crazy."

Did I mention that all this has made me sick?

Baby fever it is...and it needs to go away quick!

I've got too much to do and not enough hands

To meet all of this Mommy's demands.

"Help me, Lord!" is all I can pray,

"Please help me to make it through this day,

Without screaming or pulling out my hair.

Help me to be patient with these blessings in my care."

I need more energy, more Diet Coke!

It may sound funny, but that's no joke.

It fuels my body, helps get me in gear.

Now I just need to persevere.

To get it all done, that's the goal,

But there's just too much, am I getting too old?

Focus now, what are the important things?

The beauty that each new day brings,

My children and their sweet, sticky faces,

The fingerprints they leave are just traces

and reminders of how fast they are growing!

I need a pause button, but they just keep going.

I need more time, more time to enjoy

These precious gifts, a girl and a boy.

The pressures and demands will always be.

But my children will grow up and I'll wish I could see,

Those tiny miracles that sat in my lap

For books to be read and kisses and naps.

My new goal for this day is to MAKE the time

To soak in the kisses and hugs without guilt, there's no crime

In taking the time to enjoy God's blessings.

My house is a mess, I am now confessing.

So off I go now to enjoy and to love

My two little blessings sent from Above!