You can Pick

Several of you got it....

I want to give you a Happy Day Surprise.

So, post a comment by Monday at noon along with your email address.

The winner can pick a gift card from Starbucks or Atlanta Bread Company.

I am Back, Sort of

We have had a TERRIFICLY full May!  I will post a recap and pictures later.  I am supposed to be folding laundry right now.  I did just finish polishing the silver and I have a couple of closets asking to be cleaned out.  

So, do your kids have a "song?"  

My boys have been singing,"Jingle Bells, Batman smells Robin laid an egg" for way too long.  Months.  Each time one of them sings it, the others just die laughing.  I am S.I.C.K. of the song.  I started saying no jingle bells songs until Christmas, but that just won't stop the earworm (that is what you call a song that you can't get out of your head).  Boys.

I am behind on reading your blogs!!!  I hope you all are having a wonderful summer so far and to the faithful few, I would love to have a drawing.  More to come on that later too.  It will be for one of my favorite things!  Can you guess what it might be???????

Behind the Clouds

This post is taken primarily from aTim Keller  Study on Joy and Peace.  I wanted to share it with you today!  

Jesus says,"My peace I give you.  Not as the world gives it, do I give it to you.  Don't be troubled or afraid."  John 14:27

What is the peace Jesus gives us?

The Hebrew word for peace is Shalom.  It is multi-dimensional flourishing and fulfillment-spiritual, physical, emotional, social and cultural.

Peace has to do with wholeness in relationships.

There was a barrier between God and humanity, but Jesus paid the debt and now there is peace.  This peace cannot increase or decrease.  

Though in ourselves we are actually wicked, in Christ we are justified and accepted. (Romans 4:5)  

So we have legal standing before God through Christ Jesus.  We are holy and blameless in His sight.  Col. 1:22

Shalom is the restoration of all of these relationships under the power and reign of God. 

We are without peace when our relationship with God is broken, leading to psychological, social, and physical alienation.

I love this quote:

"There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for  a while.  The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him.  For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing:  there was light and high beauty forever beyond its reach.  His [courage before] had been defiance rather than hope; for then he was thinking of himself.  Now, for a moment, his own fate and even his master's ceased to trouble him...Putting away all fear he cast himself into a deep untroubled sleep."

-J.R.R Tolkien

Whatever troubles you today friend, I say Shalom.  I will say the same to myself.  For the Shadow that lurks and seems so permanent, is but passing overhead and behold when it passes the view of the heavens is so rich it causes my heart to sing.  Peace to you today as you rest in Christ Jesus alone.  We are meant for more---this is merely preparation for all eternity.

"Then sings my soul!"

Questions:

Luke:  Mommy what keeps our hair on?

Me:  What do you think keeps our hair on?

Luke:  I think they glue it on.

Me:  Who glues it on Luke?

Luke:  You know, God.

This was a reminder...

I went back to read some old posts.  I came across this one today.  I needed this reminder.  If you would like to read the whole post, you can read it here. 

This is what spoke to my heart again tonight:

I got in the car and drove silently for a moment.  Then, I began my apology to the Holy Creator of the universe.  I felt so sad that in a moment over lost coffee and music, I would blame my Heavenly Father.  I talked with Him for awhile, I confessed my pride and anger.  Then, He whispered, "I am working for your good."

Snuggle, Chatter Time

So tonight Benjamin proposed an idea.

He suggested that we enjoy Snuggle, Chatter time.  He threw the word Snuggle, Chatter, Warmth time in there, but shortened it to Snuggle, Chatter.

Sounded good.  He explained exactly what he meant.

All 5 of us should snuggle up on the couch and talk.  The couch was the place since he said that is where people talk.  

We did.  It was delightful.  We spent time there holding the boys, reading, and just talking.  The time was priceless it wasn't "planned out" to be something special, but just to give them our full attention without an agenda other than to snuggle and engage in their thoughts.

Luke hailed him a genius.  

I am getting sad thinking about Benjamin heading over to the big pond next year.  He is with me now at the same school and I love getting to grab a sweaty kiss when he comes in from playground or dance outside his class window and make the kids laugh.  Man, where has the time gone?  I feel like he should still be a newborn having tummy time or learning to roll over. I know first grade isn't a big deal.  It's HUGE.  Just kidding.  It is the joy of my life to have spent my time teaching and training my boys.  He is ready.  I'm not sure that I am.

You know your a mom when...continued...

Ben and I enjoyed this while out on the porch watching the waves!

I loved the way these beach chairs looked stacked up!

"We are but a band of brothers," Shakespeare

We had a wonderful time at the beach this past weekend with just the five of us!  

We are blessed to have been able to enjoy my in-laws beach house in Orange Beach!  What fun we had!

**********************************

You know you're a mom when....

You drop your college project in the mud puddle that you have spent DAYS, HOURS, and WEEKS on, (but who's really counting) while talking on the cell phone and unloading your precious cargo-a.k.a-children.

Precious cargo proceeds to wet on mother.  As in WET all over mother's shirt while in the parking lot of the college where the project will go.

So, not only is said project wet, but mother is now wet too.  :)  

Thankfully, my dear friend Sharri called while I was inside to see if I had gotten it turned in okay.  When I returned to the car, I proceeded to laugh and cry at the same time as I retold the events of the afternoon to her.  

Reminder, this is what fingerprints our lives:  The ability to laugh when we're in the mud!  I wouldn't trade our three little guys for one minute!  Bring on the mud!  WE LIKE MUD PUDDLES AROUND HERE ANYWAY!  HEHEHEHE~

I would love to hear your own version of you know you're a mom when....

If you're not a mom, you could write an autograph moment for your own mother!  I know you people have some good ones!

Tummy Tub

United Photos via Reuters file

photo: courtesy of flickr

So, there is this new hit so I've read called the Tummy Tub.  What do you think of this tub?  I love the idea of a happier experience for the little ones!   They had pictures of newborns in the tub too.  Very interesting.  Check it out and let me know what you think!!!  

While I am on here procrastinating, have you seen the Cleaning Fairy?  I am desperately hoping she will appear.  

Kid Humor

"Mrs. M. do you run," asked my little K5 friend.

"Well, sometimes," I said.

"Why?"

"Sometimes when I hug you, you feel light and sometimes you feel heavy," replied the little girl.

I had to really try hard not to laugh out loud.  :)

I love Kindergarten!