No Such Thing...

I hate to break the news to all of you...

There is no such thing as a Kitchen Fairy.  I have waited for her to pop up around here and she hasn't!  I left my dinner dishes overnight, only to find them waiting for me this morning at 5:45. Oh well, I have heard the same is true about Santa.  Tis life...

Washed Boys and the LIBRARY

   I am involved with a local consignment sale for children's clothes.  We emptied out closets full of little boy items.  It has taken a couple of days to price it all.  ANYWAY, I was dropping the clothes off and guess what I came home to?  A hot dinner and clean boys!  My husband is the BEST!

 

Now, I am holding my breath that while Big B. is out getting dog food and I am blogging (not using my time wisely), the Kitchen Fairy will appear and have it all taken care of for me!

 

May I also explain to you that I need an excavator to move the quantity of laundry that has accumulated in our closet.  There might be something living under it all.  I am serious y'all!

The house is clean.  I stayed up until 2:30 a.m. Thursday night getting it done.  I did.  Task accomplished.  I think Thursday will be my new cleaning day. I don't like cleaning on Friday.  The boys and I try to go to the Public Library on Fridays.

 

That leads me to another topic of discussion.  What is up with the ladies at the Library being TOTALLY uninterested in helping me?  I go there to check out books and they can see I am a struggling mom of three with my hands full of books for my classroom while balancing a baby.  Then, my child asks for a book on factual information about the beginning of steam engines.  I asked for help locating the information on their computer, which I am doing one handed.  She pulled up the screen for me to type in the info and said, "Here you go."  Gee, thanks.  Don't go out of your way lady!  Then, I asked about some books on Fall.  They weren't sure, but I could check the computer.  FINALLY, I point blank said, "I need some help."   

She replied coolly, "Oh you do?"  WHATEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Maybe they are scared that all of the library users will become codependent library users.  We could start some sort of needy library user support group.  I am Andi, I am dependent on the LIBRARIANS FOR HELP!!!!!!!!!  Are there cameras in there with a group of viewers analyzing how to handle "needy" users?  

Well, anyway I am ranting.  I believe that violates blog etiquette.  Please forgive me.   To her credit, it was late on Friday and she was probably ready to jet.  I still think you offer assistance if you see someone could use it!  However, I will return Friday and I truly hope that I have a better experience.  She may have thought I was the CRAZY one for bringing 3 children there to check out books.  To my credit, it is a Children's Library and I am trying to engage my children in reading!!!!!!!  I'll be quiet now.  Good Night!

Thanks!

I want to say a big thank you to all of you that read the mumble jumble that exits my brain via my blog.  I am so thankful that I have met so many wonderful friends by blogging.  I am so thankful for the hobby of words; since I have an excess amount to expend daily.  :) LOL.

A question for the day.  What does LOL mean to you?  Perhaps I am not so hip when it comes to Blog acronyms, but I have used it different ways.  I initially thought it meant Lots of Love. Then, as I grew in my bloggy life, I read others using it to mean Lots of Laughs.  What does this acronym mean to you?

This is hilarious to me!  I thought I would throw it in the mix for a good Friday afternoon laugh!

The Evening Star

The Evening Star and the Moon

The other day, Benjamin said the Evening Star was the Twinkle, Twinkle Star.  Today, I thought  I would teach a little Blog Style.  The Evening Star is actually a planet.  Usually, it is when we can see Venus.  How cool is that?  I don't know about you, but the stock market, housing market, presidential race, oil prices-which are our gas prices, all  have me a bit uneasy.   Let's just be honest, what is going on with our economy?   I can't imagine what it will be like if we elect a socialist as a President-yes, that is what I believe he is.  Lord, be merciful.  

Well, I digress.  The Evening Star is very calming to me.  The Lord suspends all of the starry host, won't he keep me?  Yes, indeed.  He already knows the outcome of our market, one of the worst we have seen, but He still holds steady the Evening Star.  Earth seems a little more stable when I look up into the night.  Look up tonight, you might just get a glimpse of His fingerprints....

The Things They Say!

This weekend, my in-laws took the two older boys to Krispy Kreme.  This is a Saturday morning tradition in our family.  Benjamin wore boxers, a tee shirt, and shoes.  He went in the establishment dressed this way; Luke said it was "inappropriate."  I have to agree.  :)

Tonight, Benjamin saw the "Evening Star."  I had pointed it out to the three boys as we were driving.  Benjamin exclaimed, "Look, it's the Twinkle, Twinkle Star."  I am thankful that at least once in his little life of rather verbose expressions, he said something childish.  I refrained from explaining anything further about that Twinkle Star and enjoyed the moment of innocence.  

Two!

Happy Birthday David!  You are a precious little boy!  You delight all of us with your affectionate spirit.  You are such a joy to our family.  God has placed you with two older brothers that adore you and you adore them.  

Daddy and I are so thankful that the Lord has enriched our lives with you Little One.  We pray that you would be a man of God and that you would influence others for Him.  May He protect you and continue to grow you in wisdom, in stature and in  favor with God and man.  We love you dearly!

I'm Stickin To It!

My blog friend, Leah at  Six Blue Eyes been observing in schools.  She was amazed at the level of disrespect that she sees in classrooms.  I have no doubt that she will be a great teacher.  

However, today I want to go on record as saying our children have serious issues with respect. I am in a mood, so get ready.  Fair warning, this does not cater to little self-esteems.  

What is the deal with children being excused by their parents when they are disrespectful to authority?  Leah has observed in all kinds of different school settings and has noticed children in private schools are just as disrespectful as the children in public schools.  

I am disturbed as a teacher that there are ANY children in school being disrespectful.  We have issues!!!!!!!!!!  Any thoughts?  BTW, you don't have to have a blog to respond.  We would love to hear from you too!

We're Off!

Tonight, Benjamin and I were in the car together; listening to the radio.  There was a question posed to us over the air waves, "Who is winning the war with your teenager?  The culture or God?"  

Benjamin replied, "The culture is."  

I said, "You're right Buddy.  That's why Daddy and I want to raise you, Luke, and David to be young men of God."

He said, "We're off to a good start."

I am TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So you say, go to bed.  It's 11:03.  It's not that kind of tired; it is tired to the core.  The kind that finds you in the morning in the exact same way (unless something supernatural happens during the night).  I am in need of rest, in every sense of the word......

The Passy, the Cut-Off, the Meaning....

First of all, my 4 1/2 year old found an old passy.  He wanted it at nap time.  Can you be serious?  That child gave Passy up 2 years ago, well maybe 1 1/2 years ago.  It was torture!!!! Guess what?  I let him have it today.  He looks ridiculous, but he's napping with an old found treasure.  Am I setting him up for serious withdrawals or perhaps the classic grass in greener with a passy scenario?  We'll see.  Haze me, I can take it.

Today, after school I went to the bank.  I love getting a paycheck!  It is a happy feeling.  I saw a man trying to get out of the gas station.  I stopped to let him out, he was not overly impressed.  He was more angry at the man next to me that was reading a map (I happened to know the man in the map car) and not paying attention to Angry Truck Man.  Let me say, we were stopped at a stop sign.  Angry Truck man was chapped that Map Man won't let him out because he's not paying attention and Angry Truck Man began carrying on with all sorts of language that Map Man can't hear and doesn't care about since he's still not paying attention. Cadillac Car let Angry Truck Man over and he is now behind Map Man's car which is sporting a Christian bumper sticker....GREAT.  I am a Christian too, I just hate when someone gets a negative taste due to driving by all of us imperfect Christian drivers. Any thoughts?

Clip and blisters

This is not my clipboard, but I thought this was too cute.  Photo courtesy of Flickr:  JoyMadison.  

 

I am posting; things went great.  I loved today.  Last night, I was a little tense trying to answer questions that I had never been asked before.  Today, I had cheat cards clipped to my clipboard and was ready.  

My clipboard became my dearest friend today.  One in whom I could confide. She held all sorts of answers on etiquette that I had stashed away.  She let me know exactly the time to have people in place.  I actually felt like an airline sending grandparents down the runway at 3:57. You know, I couldn't have done it without Clip.  She was my support to lean on as I ran, yes ran up and down stairs, down hallways, and stood clutching as I told a gorgeous bride and her daddy it was time. Clip was there with me through it all.  Someone tried to take her from me. Can you believe it? What would I have done?  No Clip stayed close to me the whole time even through the reception.  

One hard thing was asking the parents of a crying baby to bring her out if she didn't quit crying.  I felt horrible!  They took her out once and came back in with her.   After the second crying is when I asked for them to exit, but she quickly quit crying and so she remained. Whatever.  

I learned a lot.  I definitely have things I would have done differently, but overall I am thankful all went as well as it did-all God, not me.  Her mom was extremely calm, which helped me BIG time!  I wasn't sure how long the chiming of the hour would last.  The doors probably looked schizophrenic, but they opened all the way(finally) to a princess ready to meet the man of her dreams.

I am honored to have been asked to be a part of such a special day!  I am exhausted, but I was one little piece of a covenant that was made between two special people before the Lord.  I joke about Clip, but the Lord walked us through today.  Weddings are a great way for us to remember Him.  I also love thinking about being the bride.  I loved every single minute of my wedding!  I hope that she enjoyed her day as much as I did mine.

Someone asked me if I would do this again.  By George, I think I would.

THE NIGHT!!!

Prayers and drum roll or should I say Pachebell?  Tonight is the night of the rehearsal.  I am getting ready now.  Can't you tell?  I am blogging, which gets my mental well being (what's left of it) in place.  I came up here to get my clipboard; lo and behold I ended up posting with the shower running.  I am a clipboard gal.  I am also very peaceful about the next 24 hours...may the Lord be glorified and please let me send those people down in the right order.  

BTW-y'all are awesome!  I love getting comments-yes I admit it.  It's nice to know people out there in blog land value what you're saying.  Whether they agree with you or not.  Thanks-you all rock!!!!!  Happy Friday.  I'll post details on Sunday!

The delimma

What to do?  There are some weirdos.  To put it plainly,  I am concerned about my kiddos names and pictures on my blog.   What are your suggestions?  

I loved this!  

WOW!

God was up all night!

I was getting ready to have my quiet time this morning and was flipping through the book A Godward Life by John Piper.  Here is what I turned to and I knew exactly what I would post today.  It is not my thoughts, but Pipers and I dare say it might rock your world. 

Chapter 3- God Was Up All Night

"He will not let your foot be moved, he who keeps you will not slumber."

"Do you need help? I do.  Where do you look for help?  When the psalmist lifted up his eyes to the hills and asked, "From where does my help come? he answered, "My help comes from the Lord"-not from the hills, but from the God who made the hills.  So he reminded himself of two great truths: One is that God is a mighty Creator over all the problems of life; the other is that God never sleeps.

God is a tireless worker.  Think of God as a worker in your life.  Yes, it is amazing.  We are prone to think of ourselves as workers in God's life.  But the Bible wants us first to be amazed that God is a worker in our lives:  "From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides thee, who works for those who wait for him" (Isaiah 64:4).

God is working for us around the clock.  He does not take days off, and he does not sleep.  In fact, he is so eager to work for us that he goes around looking for more work to do for people who will trust him: "The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show his might in behalf of those whose heart is whole toward him" (2 Chronicles 16:9)."

My sweet friends, wherever you find yourself today, or perhaps in the wee hours of the morning, give yourself to Jesus-wholly.  Not in part, not in the areas that you let go of the most quickly, surrender even the most difficult areas to HIM!  I love that I am cared for by Him that Never Sleeps.

photo: courtesy of flickr: dadwtwins

Reminders of Repentance

As I reflected on what I wrote yesterday, I would be remiss not to offer this fantastic truth to all of us that are saying, "I do fail. I yell at my children.  I have unrealistic expectations of my husband. I serve myself."  My dear friend, Betsy, reminds me often, "God is glorified in our repentance."  We can't do it perfect, we won't get it right.  

So, do we throw our hands up in the air and just continue in the way that disgusts us?  NO!  We repent.  We ask for forgiveness from our children when they think we are temporarily possessed.  We humble ourselves to our husband and seek their good above our own.  We give ourselves to the work that the Lord has for us that day: to do the next thing He has called us to.  It might not be a significant accomplishment in others eyes, but it is a moment that we are more like Him, preparing us all the more for eternity.  

Yes, there is meaning in the mundane.  And the good news is WHEN WE FAIL, HE CAN REDEEM OUR MISTAKES, IF WE HUMBLE OURSELVES.  Chin up little lady, you are loved by the Father and redeemed by the Savior who gave His perfect, Holy life for one such as I.  How unworthy I am my friends. Rejoice, He is glorified in our repentance.

Meaningful Mundane....

You know we are in the thick of it young mamas.  Parenting is draining, fostering our marriages is work, putting relationships first takes sacrifice, cleaning the house-tiring, folding clothes is boring, ironing is time consuming, grocery shopping a challenge to find healthy cost efficient foods that make little mouths happy, but we must find meaning in the mundane.  We are called to something higher than ourselves, something far beyond that-something of eternal significance.  

Here are some thoughts taken from Oswald Chambers:

"He that believeth in Me....out of him shall flow..." John 7:38

~"He that believeth in Me out of him shall flow rivers of living water" -hundreds of other lives will be continually refreshed.  It is time now to break the life, to cease craving for satisfaction, and to spill the thing out.  Our Lord is asking who of us will do it for Him?"

Ladies, are the people in our homes refreshed by us?  Do we encourage, support, submit to our husbands, and nurture our children?  Begin there, impact those to whom The Living God has entrusted to us and from there the hundred will come...generation after generation.  Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in you at home?   I believe that is the hardest place to yield ourselves, but ladies may I exhort us, the MOST IMPORTANT place.  Don't get me wrong, we need to be involved and investing in others outside our home, but don't miss the most important area of serving Him right now...love well those that He has given you.  It is tiring, but aren't all things that are of most significance worth the exhaustion?  After all, We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.  It is not me mustering up enough "spiritual stamina" to do the right thing.  It is relying wholly on the Supplier of all that I need and dying to myself, not at the end of my rope, but before I ever get started.  Be encouraged friends, serve Him well and the fruit will be generation after generation....

War Eagle!

Notice the sign off to the side: "FINE!"  That describes my boys; all 4 of them!

Tailgating last weekend at the boys first Auburn game!  They have been to A Day games, but this was the REAL DEAL!

We had tickets on the 50 yard line so close~  The boys had a BLAST-we even went to roll Tumors Corner!

Bumps and Bruises

~Little David sound asleep after a long day~

Today my littlest one fell at Mother's Day Out.  His sweet teacher brought him to me and his little forehead looked like the diving board we just saw in China!  He fell on the stairs at their playground.  :(  My dear friend, Tonja took a look and said he'd be alright.  However, he started to act a little different after a bit and I took him over to the pediatricians office to have a look see.  Well, she thought he was acting a unusual too(screaming! he broke blood vessels!) and ordered an X-Ray at the hospital.  So, I went by picked up my other 2 kiddos and headed to the hospital.  Ben was out of town, but my precious brother in law, Burt came into town right as we were arriving at the hospital.  He met us there and entertained the boys during the hour we were there!!!!  Thank you Lord for your timing!!!!!  X-rays were traumatic on the little fellow, but all looked clear.  We were released and headed to a friend's birthday party.  What fun we had and a happy ending to a rough start!  We're looking forward to going out to dinner tonight.  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  He gives us the strength for what we need the very moment we need it.  Never early, never late.

Trouble and Repentance

Benjamin had a rough day at school today.  He opted to engage in socialization as opposed to working.  On top of that, he spit "drainage" as he put it, which landed on a little GIRL!  :(  It is really bad when your mama is a teacher.  Aint no gettin' away with anything!  After he got his tail put back in its place we cuddled up and talked to Jesus.

Here is their conversation:

"I think I need a hug.  I feel really sorry Jesus for spreading those germs.  I feel really, really bad.  I will see you in church on Sunday and every day in my heart."

Whoops!

Tonight I had a few things to do after the boys went to bed.  They were as follows:

*Create a book for class.  Okay like 3 of them.

*Do lesson plans since what I ended up after we met today was a bit shaky at best.

*Create a weekly letter.

*Revise Calendar.

*Fine-tune wedding plans for Sept. 13 wedding.

*Put away laundry.

Here is what I did:

*Picked my face.

*Ate strawberry shortcake.

*Watched RNC on Fox News.

*Oh yes, and of course, Blogged.....

Guess I'll wake up early or stay up late....