Power Lab

Energy to Burn

Ever wonder what to do with preschool boys who can't go outside?







Well...jump off the furniture, of course!

Notice the caution in one, and the reckless abandon in the other. Very fitting of their personalities!

Oh, the Manliness!

One day, Little Macho Man and G came running into the kitchen with their shirts off. "Look, we're little mans!" I had to laugh out loud at their pasty, white skin and little tiny muscles, not to mention the obvious misuse of the plural form of their kind!

They spent the entire day running around shirtless. Oh, they felt virile, masculine, and a tad bit chilly. So, I asked my little man why being shirtless made him think he was a man - especially since he NEVER sees his daddy walk around shirtless. His answer surprised me and embarrassed me at the same time. It wasn't one of my proudest moments. You see, Troy, in HSM2, takes off his shirt to play basketball. That's why it is the essence of manliness to go without a shirt...because Troy did it! I didn't dare ask his opinion of Troy during the "golf course dance scene." Not exactly macho.

That happened several weeks ago and these 2 still love taking off their shirts. I've had to make a new rule - shirts stay on unless it's rest time and you are covered with a blanket, or we are outside for water play. I swear these 2 would walk around naked all day if I let them!

Excuse Me...I'm Not Ready For THIS!

Yesterday, Mr. D (who is 8 1/2) got a phone call from a GIRL! Well, she has called before, but he refused to call her back. But this time he did it! It's so funny because they spent the whole day together at school, so what did they have to talk about? (Did I just sound OLD when I said that?) Apparently they talked about NOTHING since he just sat there laughing. Come to find out, she thought it would be funny to flush the toilet during their conversation. She had obviously stepped into the "powder room" for this private phone conversation and just couldn't resist the temptation - to flush, that is.

Brooklyn's family is special to us. They moved to this tiny town about 8 months after we did. When you aren't from the small town in which you now live, you can feel very much like an outsider. So, these two hit it off from the beginning. Having been in the same classroom in 1st grade and now 2nd, they have spent a lot of time together. Last year, in Mrs. C's class, Brooklyn's desk was moved right behind Mr. D's. She later told her mom that she now sits behind the love of her life and can look at his red hair all day! Oh, the things that come out of that mouth! She is something else. The first time she came to our house, she glanced over at my iced tea (in an iced tea glass with a stem) and said, "Is that a martini???" Imagine...her pastor's wife drinking martinis in the middle of the day...with children around! Her parents don't even drink martinis and she has no idea what they are!

So, as I sat there, obnoxiously taking pictures, I couldn't help but think about the future. Will there be things about Mr. D (looks, attitude, personality) that girls will find attractive? Will he know how to treat these young ladies? Will they be young LADIES? And what will these girls be wearing? Will modesty and virtue be important to them? Will they be important to him? Wow, we have a big job here. There is so much to instill in that stubborn head of his! Experts say that most of that must be learned before age 9! That's August, people! No pressure here!

For now, I will trust the One who gave him to us and enjoy these silly and innocent moments - capturing and treasuring them when I can.

OK Girls...It's That Time of Year

Little Miss E would like to remind all the girls out there that with the weather getting warmer, we mustn't put off getting that much-needed pedicure! Even 11-month old girls know how important it is that our feet look adorable...even yummy!

Just look at those toes! This has to be the cutest thing you've seen all day! I wouldn't trade jobs with anyone. I get to spend my day with my son, this little sweetie, and her very macho, very sweet big brother!

But...I REALLY do need to get that pedicure! My almost-40-year-old toes don't look nearly as cute as hers!

Please Don't Feed the Monkeys

This morning the hubby returned from the grocery store with a rare treat. He just went for milk and juice, but found something else on sale - Mrs. Baird's Powdered Sugar donuts.


Well, these little monkeys at my house think that is just about the greatest thing ever. I have discovered that it is impossible for preschool boys to eat these things without wearing white powder all over their clothes. But, the best part is the aftermath left around their lips!

Winter in Texas

It's 75 degrees outside. I just checked the forecast for the week, so I can organize meals and school clothes. What I saw on the page made me laugh out loud! There were 3 severe weather alerts for my area: tornado watch, red flag warning (both common this time of year) and SNOW ADVISORY!

Huh???

It's just like a Texas winter to be 75 degrees with a tornado watch one day, snowing the next, and 63 degrees and sunny the day after that! It sure makes laundry interesting. One load can include shorts and flannel, long sleeves and short sleeves...anything goes. The worst part about that is trying to organize the clothes. The summer clothes have been stored, so now we are digging in those, but we really can't switch out the winter clothes yet either.

But I am really not complaining (except for the managing the clothes part). I welcome any last bursts of winter. All too soon it will be in the high 90's with no breeze, bugs of all sorts, and air-conditioning running almost non-stop. Once those days are here, they stay for MONTHS and MONTHS...no end in sight...no relief!

I'll take whacked-out winter/spring weather anytime!

Encouragement

Do you need some encouragement? Want to read something that really blesses you? Click here and read how good God is!

My friend's advice for dealing with stress and discouragement - watching video of babies! Well, if that's what you need today, click here! My nephew will make your day 10 times better!

God cares about our every need, whether it's a baby with fever, a battle with cancer, the death of a precious sister, or the need for a used van!

Life has seemed overwhelming to me this week. I needed His gentle reminder this morning that 1) I don't really know what "overwhelmed" is, and 2) no matter what, He is always good!

Why We Do What We Do

Week after week, all school year long (and for one VERY intense week of the summer) the volunteers in our children's ministry are incredible. They show up, ready to guide, encourage, counsel, referee, and demonstrate what it means to follow Jesus. I am amazed at their commitment!

Sometimes I leave on Tuesdays wondering what I do to make a difference in the lives of these kids. Since I am co-director of the weekly ministry and the director of VBS, I am behind-the-scenes mostly. Tammie is the one who brings it all to life for the kids. The crew leaders are building relationships with the kids. Now, I know my job is important and the ministry wouldn't quite be the same without what I do. But because I'm not spending the time with the kids that the others are, I'm missing out on the struggles AND the blessings.

Well, today we were short-handed and besides getting to lead one of the stations, I spent time with the preschoolers during worship. Now, children's worship is completely different than the "worship service" that happens on Sunday morning in that very same room! It's lively, active, loud...you know, kids' worship. There are a couple of preschoolers who are ALWAYS all over the place. Keeping them from using the prayer alter as a diving board, keeping them off the stage and away from expensive equipment, and keeping them from filling out church membership cards each week is quite a chore! And there is almost always gymnastics of some sort. I know there are dearly beloved church members who are no longer with us who MUST be turning in their graves each time a cartwheel is attempted in "The Sanctuary"!! Sometimes I can just see the looks on the faces some of the older crowd in our church as I watch these little ones climb over pews and attempt to hide under the Lord's Supper table!

Cody was one of these kids today. Even the most active, engaging worship songs didn't hold his attention. He ran here, ran there, tried a few cartwheels, wrote his name on several pew envelopes, etc. I tried everything to get him involved. After the music, Tammie was trying to refresh the kids' memories a bit, reminding them how much God loves them, etc. Cody sat with a hymnal wide open, turning pages. Tammie asked "How can Jesus make us clean, take away our sins?" Cody began slamming the hymnal shut again and again as older kids try to answer, but didn't quite give the response she was looking for. Just when I thought there was no way this kid was listening, Cody said as loud as he could, "Jesus died on the cross so we can go to Heaven!" I looked at him. He looked at me and said with a huge grin, "I learned that HERE!!!"

That's why we do what we do!

This One Made Me Think

Lately I've been reading a blog that I've seen here and there for a while. Yesterday, I read this post and it really has me thinking. If you have a few minutes, check out what she has to say. She uses a quote from George Barna that I found quite convicting. Since reading her post, I've found a few more of his quotes that are worth pondering. These quotes are found in different parts of his book:

Having devoted more than two decades of my life and all of my professional skills to studying and working with ministries of all types, I am now convinced that the greatest hope for the local church lies in raising godly children.

Various studies have confirmed the results of some of our data: By the age of nine, most of the moral and spiritual foundations of a child are in place. From the time a child is born until he or she is in the early primary grades, the child is voraciously consuming cues and lessons related to each of the developmental dimensions. It seems that by the time he or she is nine; the child shifts mental gears and begins to use the cues he or she receives from that point forward to either confirm or challenge an existing perspective. It also appears that by the time the child has reached this age, it is much more difficult to change an existing view than to form a new view.

Our national surveys have shown that while more than 4 out of 5 parents (85 percent) believe they have the primary responsibility for the moral and spiritual development of their children, more than two out of three of them abdicate that responsibility to their church.



One of the lessons that wiser parents than I have learned is to remember that God cares a lot less about what we achieve that draws applause from the world, how many consecutive profitable quarters we led the corporation to amass, how clean and organized we kept our home or how many educational degrees we piled up than how we raise our children.

I feel convicted on so many levels! Why am I not more intentional about teaching my children those things that are my responsiblity to teach them? What kind of example am I setting for them regarding disciplines of my faith - prayer, Bible study, solitude, etc? Do they see me "practicing my faith"? How intentional am I about raising godly children? Am I more focused on managing our home than training their hearts?

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (New Living Translation)

5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

What about you? Please tell me how you are intentionally training your children. Are you leaving spiritual training to the church? What are God's standards for parenting as defined by the Bible? How are you practicing the passage above in your home? Are you making decisions in your home based on what Scripture says or what society will think? What are we teaching our children if we give them everything society tells them they need? Are you mimicking the world, but in a cleaned-up format?

Lots to think about.

G Says Part 3

"I didn't kick him. I hit him with my leg."

You Can't Be 14!

I can't believe that 14 years ago today, all Kacole and I could say was "Today, we're gonna be AUNTS!!!!"

Happy Birthday Nephew! You are a super kid and I sure hope my boys grow up to be like their very cool big cousin! Your brother may be "the LEADER" but God has big plans for your quiet, gentle nature and incredible intelligence. You stole our hearts all those years ago and you still have a very special place in mine.

Guitar Hero

Just the CD he wanted

Speed Demon

Snow Day

The other day it snowed for about one hour here in the big city. My son has experienced lots of snow in the last month, but our little friend hasn't. Not one for bundling up, D didn't seem to mind hat and gloves on this day!

Look How We've Changed

Yesterday I posted a picture of my brother and me when we were kids. The other day, our cousin posted some pictures on her blog. One of those photos is of the four of us girls in the family: ShelleyRo (cousin), me, JAR (sis-in-law), and Kacole (sister). So, if you want to see what we looked like almost 20 years ago at my bridal shower, then click here!

Happy Birthday JRR

Today is JRR's birthday! That's us back in the mid-70's (obviously) at our Mammaw's house. Yep, we're Southern, we had a couple of "Mammaws". (Reminds me of a Hannah Montana episode! That's so sad.) This picture cracks me up because it is just like JRR to have his shirt tucked into his belted pants. So neat and orderly. It's just like me to need to adjust my pants - so not neat and not orderly!

JRR is very creative (check here and here). He is also quite hilarious! If you don't know him and weren't reading my blog this time last year, you can read more about him here. It's a much more serious and moving tribute to the brother!

I wish we could spend time together today. It wouldn't be anything terribly exciting to most people. I might possibly bring some of this and some of these - just for fun! But most likely we would probably drink coffee and talk about politics. Well, I would ask questions and he would explain and give his comments about politics. We might also talk about how much fun we all had in Colorado last month or how we can make sure the sister ends up taking in the parents when they are old and feeble. That last part would be a sham, since I'm sure that's what they talk about when I'm not around!

In honor of this special occasion, I have a story he will think is funny. He thinks most things this kid does is funny.

The other day, G said "Daddy, put down that remote and play with me".

Needless to say, that's just what the daddy did!

It's a Cookie for Pete's Sake

Why is it necessary for a Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookie to sing, "If You Think I'm Sexy" in order to sell cookies?


Unbelievable!

Huh?

Does anyone have any idea what Ron Paul is talking about? Really, at any given time, do you have any clue what on earth his point is?

Please, fill me in. I just don't get it!

G Says, Part 2

It's been a while since I posted some of the funny things my four year old says. Here are a few things he's said lately:

Upon the return from our incredible trip to Colorado (where we played in the snow, sledded, saw mountains, you know, CO in the winter):

Mom: G, what was your favorite thing about being in Colorado?

G: um, sleeping on Grandma's couch! (Ok, he didn't sleep on a couch - it was a trundle bed set up as a couch for daytime use. When he slept in it - it was a BED.)

This isn't really something he says, it's something he does. We read lots of Dr. Seuss books. It never fails, when reading him one of the books, he always answers the questions. You know - there are lots of rhetorical questions in those books! My favorite one is at the end of The Cat in the Hat. "What would you do if your mother asked you?". Well, D NEVER answered that question. He just grinned! G, on the other hand, tries to explain just what he would do in that situation. While ago the Daddy was reading the one about choosing which job you'll do one day (can't think of the title). After every occupation, G would respond "yes" or "no".

Man, it takes a lot longer to read those books if the kids actually participates!!

Colorado Vacation

Back in November, after celebrating Thanksgiving, I remember thinking that December might not be as crazy as usual. We would not be traveling to do Christmas with anyone. There would certainly be parties and shopping, but it looked like our weekends would be sane.

Well, I was wrong. Every weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas, our varsity football team was in the playoffs. On December 22nd, they won the state championship. It was all terribly exciting, but EXHAUSTING!

The next thing I knew it was Christmas Eve and I was completely stressed out. Not only was Christmas the next day, but we were leaving at oh-God-hundred on the 26th for a trip to Colorado. You know, you don't just throw a few things in the suitcase and head to the mountains. It takes planning and purchasing! Everytime my dear husband headed to one of the cities, shopping for Christmas, his list included just as many things for the trip as for Christmas. Half of the gifts our boys opened on Christmas morning included winter gear of some sort!

Anyway, we left for CO the morning after Christmas - very excited and ready for a vacation! It began to snow before we drove out of our county. The boys were so excited about every bit of snow they saw. We kept telling them that this was nothing compared to what was ahead. After 14 hours, we arrived at my parents place near Salida. My siblings and their families had all arrived that day too. My parents had been there a while already.

For the next several days we played in the snow, ate, played games, kissed on the baby, ate, opened gifts, and played in the snow some more. There isn't much we could have done to make it any better. The mountains were gorgeous, especially at twilight. Everything turned blue-grey and it was breathtaking. We left the youngest kids with the grandparents and headed to a favorite coffee shop in town. The couples took turns planning the meals each night, but we all shared the load of cooking and cleaning. We played with each other's kids and enjoyed watching the cousins reconnect. Oh, and we drank coffee...lots of good coffee!

Thanks to my youngest, we even had our own themesong!

I'm still working on putting my pictures in a slideshow, but you can check out some here and here. But if you have a few minutes, please check out the video my brother put together. It is a wonderful recap of the trip. You'll be glad you took the time to watch.

Media Bias?

Have you noticed the "preference" in the coverage of the caucus results? If the news agency is more liberal, the headline is "Obama, Huckabee Win Caucuses". But the more conservative (OK, Fox News) reports "Huckabee, Obama..."

CNN ran the speeches from the winners this morning. Guess whose speech ran first?

You may wonder why on earth I was watching CNN. Pure curiosity!