VACATION MOMENTS

A few favorite vacation moments: 

1.When Willow announced during the car ride that she wished God would take the sun away because it was in her face; then proceeded to praise Him five minutes later when clouds covered the sun,
"He did it, He took the sun away!" 

2. When Jeremy made me laugh and I spit iced tea on Ryan. (Sorry Ryan.)
3. Jeremy was very upset that one of his brothers purposely farted on him, as I consoled him, Willow climbs up and hugs Jeremy then whispers in his ear, "Jeremy, everybody farts."

REST from GRIEVING

This is part of Chatting at the Sky's Tuesday's Unwrapped. Today's post inspired me to think about a different kind of rest I got recently. In the midst of our purposeful trip to Arlington National Cemetery on September 10th, my husband and I decided to take a couple or ten photos of ourselves in our hotel room...using a mirror. It ended up being the perfect medicine. We got a little rest from our grief. We simply could not get the photos right. First we tried the annoying sideway peace sign. And, then made quite a few unsuccessful attempts to just take a proper photo. OH WELL!

A Treasure Hunt at Arlington

This is my nephew. This very special moment came just moments after the military funeral service for my father took place. The Chaplain stated, "Dennis honored the flag with his life; now the flag will honor Dennis." Then came the twenty-one gun salute; taps was played. It was beautiful. But, in the midst of the sad encore of walking away from where my father's remains would, remain, came a wonderful treasure hunt for those interested: the shell casings from the twenty-one gun salute. At first, I wondered why my nephews, aunts and cousins were doing a sort of chicken stroll and staring at the ground. For some reason, it took me quite a while to ask. Oh, the bullets, I thought!
The following day at the Smithsonian, my husband came up with the idea of having dog tags made with my father's name, Arlington N C and the date of interment on them, we'll make a hole in the bullet shell and our two oldest boys along with my youngest nephew will get them as a remembrance of their special treasure hunt.
In the midst of the mundane, exhausting trial of grief, God gave us these little gifts. I am thankful.
This post is a part of TUESDAYS UNWRAPPED
Thank you Emily for helping me to recognize these moments.

Heading to Arlington

My whole family will be heading to Arlington National Cemetery to bury my father in the place he desired to be interred. I know, with great assurance that he is with the Lord--finally at peace. My father was a combat Vietnam Veteran and suffered his entire life afterwards from PTSD. I know, know, know, that finally his mind is at ease and he's in a glorious place of worshiping God. It's what made him feel best when he was here on earth--so I know Heaven bound must be simply the most ultimate freedom imaginable! My father died on 8/16 at 8:16pm. Isn't that something? We're not into numbers or superstitious about anything like that--but it was pretty amazing when my mom realized that. God's perfect timing for his life.
We've had to put off saying good-bye until it was scheduled in Arlington and now it is really beginning to hit me that it's happening. I don't know how anyone does this in just a matter of days, we've had a few weeks to grieve in between the wake and burial. The other night I began to write about my father's last day, but it is just too personal to share at this stage. For now, I just wanted to share a few photos of my dad. Pray for us if you think of us. Thank you for those of you who have been praying. Keep both my mom and my father-in-law in your prayers. It's unbelievable to think my husband and I both lost a parent in the same week, but we trust the Lord. It's even more to imagine, that they have both lost a spouse.
My father had many illnesses, one of which was diabetes caused by Agent Orange (from Vietnam) but years ago he was physically healed of blindness. It was documented that my father was going blind. He prayed one night and accepted the Lord and asked for healing in his eyes. The next day he went to the doctor at a scheduled appointment and much to the doctor's surprise, every bit of damage in my father's eyes were gone. The diagnosis of going totally blind within two years, was erased. My mother was able to donate my father's corneas to organ donation two weeks ago. His eyes were near perfect. A diabetic--able to live on through organ donation--now that's ONLY BY HIS GOOD GRACE.
This is linked to TUESDAYS UNWRAPPED. Visit Emily's blog for moments that matter.

The Baby Our Three Year Old

Cold Vanilla Relief

So, it was so hot today. I was SWEATING in church.
The sermon was very good. But, with my husband overseas taking care of our three boys on my own is a little tough, especially when the three year old starts to have a meltdown.

Drove to McDonalds with a vanilla cone in mind--someone had said last week that it is the best thing in the world.
So, the kiddos were very excited about getting McDonald's as it's not regular to our family. I ordered the lunch. Oh yeah, and the vanilla cone, soft serve.
So, the kids and I started off leaving McDonald's and I lick my freezing cold vanilla cone. "Oh! This is the best thing in the world, uh this tastes so good." I am reveling in this cold, vanilla relief.
Thank you mom the boys all say, they were expressively happy.
"This exactly what I wanted, " one of them says.
I say, "Oh my gosh this is so good in this heat, I could just rub this right across my forehead."
The boys start cracking up.
My nine year old then says "Now you know how I feel about pancakes."
I'm like....wha...?
He says, "Yeah, a nice warm pancake, right on my forehead."
"With syrup?" I ask.
No, just the pancake.
Weirdo.

Toddlerville

Mommy: Please honey, give mommy some privacy. I'll be out of the bathroom in a minute.

Toddler: [opens bathroom cabinet door and peaks inside, looks puzzled]

Mommy: Please baby, mommy needs some privacy, remember we talked about privacy?

Toddler: [thinking about something] Where is it? Is it in ya' bag?



Later in the living room:
Daddy: [teasing the boy] "Don't you hug my wife! That's my wife."

[Toddler squeezing mommy's face so hard that it doesn't tickle. Then grabs mommy by the hair/ears/face and plants a big kiss on her lips. Turns to daddy as if he just defeated him.]
Toddler: "HAAAAAA....I kissed yooooour Life!"

a mother's prayer

As I looked through these photos, I thought and silently prayed, "Oh Lord, please help me to be a good mother to these beautiful boys." My heart is aching and yearning to be a better example in front of them. I want to nurture them and never halt what gifts they may have. It is so difficult to discipline firmly and expect obedience, but to also honor them as individual persons who God created. Oh Lord, please help me to be a good mother to these boys. Sometimes, the task seems so great and I know it is only with wisdom and guidance (and by His Good Grace) that I can be the mother God has called me to be.

Painting for the family

This was made for my new gorgeous nephew, Kaiden! During my husband's visit to South Africa, he got to spend lots of time with the little guy. [Me, jealous!] I hope they love these letters for Kaiden.

This H was made for my mom for Christmas...it was supposed to be for Mother's Day last year but you know how that goes! I painted, crackle painted; decoupaged some amazing scrap paper and floral cutouts from wrapping paper; scanned Proverbs 3:5 from a vintage bible, then dipped it in instant coffee grounds that I mixed with a bit of water to antique it and added that; scrap letter accents; and then the black rub-ons were the final touch before a nice varnish. Oh yes and I also added a clear sticker with just the words. I was pretty content with the way it came out--but more importantly, I think my mom loves it.

PARENTING...what a task

What a huge responsibility God gives us, privileges...us...with? Privileges us? Hmmm...before I get sidetracked--is that the right way to say that? Well, I don't want to say what a huge responsibility God bestows us the privilege of--to raise children? OK, I think it's clear what I am trying to say. It's A LOT of pressure, a lot of catching my breath when I think about this big task. Parenting is this vast landscape that I can't quite see the end of. The length of this big field that I am looking at and wondering how am I ever going to get to the other side. I have so much to learn. Take for instance this. My oldest son is now eight and he is entering that phase of not wanting to be cuddled and he doesn't want me to talk to him like he's a little kid any more. Tonight, joking around I grabbed him and held him and started to tell him about this song (OK, truth be told, I actually sang this song) I used to sing to him that I made up all about loving my baby boy. He was hardly amused nor impressed. I would normally do this--hardly ever, but on occasion and we would end up just cracking up. Later, he even remarked about not wanting to be sung to like a baby. Oh, my heart! This is a kid who has always said, "tell me that story..."

But, it's not about me.

What a lesson I am learning. Parenting is not about if it makes me feel good to have this precious moments with my child. It's not about if they're happy either. That's a hard one for me, because I am so easily manipulated by my boys' whines and their running their fingers through my hair and looking at me with loving eyes and saying, "please mommy?"
The baby (my two year old) is even trying to giggle his way through time-outs, but I push forward with a stern look hiding that I am giggling inside too.
Uh, OK, so some things are less difficult than others.

I am just so thankful for the wisdom from the Holy Spirit--reminding me what I've read in scripture. So thankful that I can pray to a God who is listening. I didn't intend to share this, but I just looked up and noticed something on my desk. I have a prayer that I printed up/laminated that is a perfect prayer about parenting and something I need to pray, probably daily. It's from John Piper. I'm typing it up so forgive any typos please:

"Dear Lord,
There is no higher calling than being a wife and mom. You have entrusted these precious lives to our care and what we impart to them while they are with us, is our offering to you. You have not called us to be 'cool', to be liked, or to make our children happy. You have given us the responsibility to shepherd their souls. If they are great in sports, academics or worldy success, but do not know YOU, we will have failed. Help us to live what we proclaim, to be strong enough to discipline consistently when we are weary, to lavish them with love (as You do to us), to be quick to forgive and to admit when we are wrong. Help us to continue to grow in our love for the Savior and for Your word so that we can live an example that will draw them to salvation. We will never be perfect but we can be faithful and that's all that you ask. Please bless each one reading this and encourage their hearts with knowing that You have the power, ability and desire to see them succeed in this endeavor. May they raise up a generation of young adults with a heartfelt passion to serve You, and then know that they will hear ;well done, good and faithful servant.' Amen"

FATHER'S DAY PICS

For Father's Day, I was supposed to have a girl from church take them, but our schedule got so busy, I canceled So, my mom offered to give it a try right before and I am very happy with the way they came out! I played around with the photos a bit in Fireworks, then framed them with frames from Walgreens! Simple. Hubby was very pleased. He has wanted framed pics for his office for a long time.

Seafood Mykonos & A Chocolate Heart

VALENTINE'S NIGHT...My hubby and I went out for a bite to eat while Grandma babysat. We went to our absolute favorite restaurant and as we sat down I was so excited. My husband had made reservations and I knew exactly what I was getting, Seafood Mykonos. We've just recently changed our way of eating so we can get healthy. We eat very strict, but it just so happens mediterranean is great for us. Seafood Mykonos is my favorite--shrimp, scallops and lobster with mediterranean spices and FETA cheese!!! over a bed of broiled tomatoes. I couldn't wait!!! As I sat down to eat, the kind waiter placed a piece of paper over my plate...and announced that he would be back for our order momentarily. I looked at this paper and said to my husband, "where is the menu?" Really I meant, "uh what the heck is going on, where is my Seafood Mykonos???"

Well, our pleasant waiter informed us that "this" is the menu for the evening and he has strict orders not to take any other orders. "OK, thank you" we responded. As he walked away, we looked at one another and said, "wanna go to Chili's?" and giggled. It was pretty funny. Neither of us wanted to stay as there were no more than five items listed on a piece of paper and no where did it say seafood or mykonos...so we politely thanked the waiter for his time (he brought us water) and excused ourselves. He didn't seem surprised at all, the poor guy. Perhaps this is custom, but not for us. So...we actually went to a fantastic seafood place about five minutes away and had a great meal, we had to wait all of five minutes for a table. On the way to restaurant numero dos, I thanked my husband for his efforts and told him that it was really sweet. He had no way of knowing.

Once we got home, we all sat around the table and had chocolate-dipped strawberries. As you can tell...the baby doesn't like chocolate AT ALL. Weirdo! And boy I wish he'd learn to use a spoon properly!

My blonde hunk discovered some of the chocolate that missed the strawberry and it was in the shape of a heart which he so lovingly presented to me. All my sons are little romancers and can have me wrapped 'round their fingers in a matter of seconds.

NEW CAMERA

Here are Daddy and his baby boy...some photos I was taking with our long awaited new camera!

NAME SAKES

I have three brothers.

My three boys' middle names are for my brothers...

I always felt bad not using my husband's brother's name, Malcolm, but I figured that we carry on the surname...and who knows--we may have more children in the future...

I just love my brothers so much I wanted to honor them in this way.

THE LITTLE PUMPKIN

Although we were "The Fly Family" for the Costume Ball, to hand out candy, I put J in D's old costume just to keep warm here in New England. J was actually grabbing candy and throwing it out the front door when I would open it up to trick-or-treaters. He's a crazy little pumpkin!