A report from the front lines

-rescue a climbing toddler from peril (repeat about 100 times)
-repair Barbie's amputated leg
-attack mount laundry--vowing never to lose this much groud again.

Baby Steps

Millie's a super cruiser, a lightening fast crawler and climbs like a monkey...and now she can take a few steps, too. On this night, she had an audience to provide plenty of encouragement. :)  Time to fall into bed-I'm worn out from chasing this cute little girl all over the house!

Headband Holder

Here's a little project that was inexpensive and super easy.

Problem: Headbands everywhere!  :)  They fall on the floor, get chewed on by the dog/baby sister, and the bows get squished up. 

Solution: Homemade headband holder!   

Supplies needed:  empty extra-large oats container, contact paper of your choice, (found this one at Tar-jay) for about 5 bucks-with lots left over to line the bathroom drawers....or maybe some other fun projects to coordinate??)  ruler or eyeballs ;) ,  scissors

Step one: measure (eyeball) and mark on back of contact paper where you want to cut.  Glad for those gridlines on the back that make it easy to get a straight line. 

Step 2: Cut

Step 3: Peel off backing

Step 4:  Stick it on!

Step 5: Put the lid on and put your headbands on it all pretty-like.  

When I finished, Hannah Reece cried.  CRIED!  Not happy tears either.  She said she liked it better the other way.  A good lesson that my girl does not mind the aesthetics of things, she can appreciate the function, and so shall I.  :)

I could very faintly see the writing through the contact paper.  You might need to put on another layer if you chose a lighter color of contact paper for this project.

Next up, cleaning out the garage with my dear Daniel.  :)

Summa-summa-summa time!

Been thinking a lot about summer lately.  Only 4 more weeks, yay!!!  I enjoyed a conversation with a dear friend today and she shared this article with me. What an encouragement that even just a little planning will help foster an enjoyable summer for all. As ideas pop into my brain, I try to jot them down in my master list notebook so I won't forget.

In our culture,  it is a temptation to over-program our children, sometimes without even realizing it.  I think that the fear of boredom and that somehow our kids might "miss out" on some special activity, camp or experience can be overwhelming. I have felt the pressure even more now that I have two school-aged children. Our parents small group at church is working through this material on maintaining margin. It is SO challenging and encouraging. I highly recommend it if you find yourself struggling in this area.

In summers past, it's been pretty low key around here. (Except last summer when we were in the middle of a move and re-model.) The idea of enjoying a relaxed, steady-paced summer day is so appealing to me. In the busyness of life, I think we all crave some down-time. Even if it takes a couple of weeks of redirecting the occasional "I'm bored!" surely the rest and relationships built will be worth it.   I can tell the kids are ready for some down time, too.  Today Graham said "mom, let's not go anywhere today.  I just want to stay home in my pajamas!"  You got it sugar. 

We have a few activities planned to break up the routine like a short roadtrip, Vacation Bible School, and swim lessons...but other than that we're going to make space for freedom.  Freedom to play, freedom to think, freedom to create, freedom to rest and be.

I fully expect the first week of debriefing from the rush-rush-rush, to be a little tricky. To encourage the kids, I plan to have a list of "what-to-do-when-you-don't-know-what-to-do's" posted on the fridge with ideas for self-directed, imaginative play.  Things like: blow bubbles on the porch, playdough, re-read an old favorite, play catch with Charly, listen to a book on cd . I'll probably schedule in a little mommy-directed activity once or twice too.  For example, when we are cooking together or reading books together. 

Speaking of simpler days, I have to link up to this post.  And these thoughts are also very encouraging as we strive to simplify all of our days and create healthy margin for our families.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

Sweet Tooth

techno-crisis

I'm having a little blogger crisis over here.  After 3 years of blogging, I've maxed out my g**gle photo storage space.  So I'm trying to figure out how to get more and how much more??  Looks like the only way is to cough up a little dough.  I really prefer not to do this, but it would be nice to have an online "back-up" for photo storage.  Sorting through all of the options...any suggestions or advice on how to keep blogging for free (or for very little?)

Living and Active

Mulling over Psalm 94 and 95 this morning.  These passages are interesting and thought provoking in light of current events. I got to them by searching "vengance" and "revenge" in Bible Gateway.  Evil is God's to avenge, and I'm wrestling with all of this today. 

I realize that many Americans and many in the world feel relief knowing that this notoriously evil person has perished.  Honestly,  I'm not overwhelmed with relief as much as I am with growing concern, and an urgent desire to pray for God's will to be accomplished.  I just can't imagine that this person's demise will lead to a more peaceful world?   My heart is also overwhelmed with grief for those folks who lost loved ones in 9/11 and in this long awful war.

Dan and I were in Jamaica just 9 months after 9/11, leading a group of teenagers on a mission trip there.  I will never, ever forget some of the images there.  It was my first time to travel "abroad", and what an eye-opener.  Sentiments like like "Go *sama!" and "D*wn with the U.S." and other such anti-American rant were scrawled across car windshields, storefronts, even outside of the tiny shanty dwellings where many Jamaicans abide.  This blew my mind.  Why?  For the first time, I was able to witness and consider the impact we Americans have on other countries.  We spent almost the entire trip cleaning mounds and mounds of cruise ship waste from the otherwise beautiful Jamaican beaches.  On the second day of cleaning up bottlecaps, plastic flatware and other junk that literally overtook these local beaches,  it hit me.  Is this what the global community thinks of us Americans?  As consumers who "use" others for our ends?  I hope not.  One thing I do know.  I want to hold all of these events in tension with God's Word.  How can I truly "love my neighbor"?

We can take comfort in is God's Word.  It is truly living and active.  (Hebrews 4:12)  I'm reminded of this as I run to scripture for peace and truth.  Here are a couple of verses that stood out from Psalm 94.

20 Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side—
leaders whose decrees permit injustice?
21 They gang up against the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the Lord is my fortress;
my God is the mighty rock where I hide.

My heart is grateful for the protection God's provided in our military and special forces as they physically put their lives on the line to protect our freedom, day in and day out.

These passages from scripture are a stark reminder to my heart that ultimately, God alone is our fortress, he is our hiding place in times such as these.  Whether the battle is for freedom from terror, or the battle is one waged in our hearts to overcome struggles, the LORD GOD is our mighty fortress, our place of help and hope for life beyond this earth.  What areas of my heart need to be surrendered in order to fully enjoy his protection and peace here and now?