Laughable Kidisms

At our dinner table tonight….

Christopher, to his older sister: “Taylor, Taylor, hey, Taylor….the Grinch’s smile is reauhllly, reauhllly frrrreaky!”

Taylor, in response:                        “Yup.”

Sammie, directly after:                  “Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on a fever!” (Sung to the tune of “Proud Mary!”

I loooooooooove my life!

This Book Is Worth Reading…

I have been reading a book by N.T. Wright entitled, “For All God’s Worth: True Worship and the Calling of the Church.”

I have been moved and comforted and inspired by much of what is written in its pages.

Here is the portion that really struck me today about the true nature of the God we serve…

There is always danger that when we speak of God’s judgement, we imagine God as a fierce, bullying, domineering God. I suspect that many people in our society today, if they use the word ‘God’ at all (other than as an expletive), think of God basically like that. That’s why so many of them have rejected Him. There are quite enough fierce bullies in the world already without having one up in the sky as well. But, the reason that the true God will come to right all wrongs in the world, (and that’s what ‘judgement’ really means), is not because He is a fierce bully but because He is a bridegroom who wants to woo and win His bride; because He is a shepherd who wants to carry the lambs close to His heart; because He is the servant who is wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. If this is what the true God is like, it is the fierce bullies – the Herods of the world – who are in for a shock. This is the God whose coming judgement will be based on love. This is the God whose word will stand forever while the grass withers and the flowers fade.

These words hit me. They socked me in the gut in a good way. They make me want to love God not out of a fear of His wrath and anger, but because of His love and pursuit of me.

That is the way it should be. That is the way our God operates.

He loves, even though we don’t deserve it. He loves, in spite of our depravity. He loves, relentlessly. He loves, even in His judgement.

My Baby is Four!!!!!Reflections on A life that Changed Mine…

The first time, ever I saw your face…..

it was love…..

I had no idea that morning as I prepared to go to the hospital whether I was going to have a little boy or a little girl.
I only knew that I was ready to meet you face face and hold you in my arms…

And then, when Daddy and I saw you, WE WERE HOOKED!!!

It didn’t take long for everyone else who met you to become smitten too…

You’re just so adorable!!!

As I reflect on the last four years spent with you, I can only do so with joy and gratitude! Each birthday…

One year!


Two years…

Three years!

And my beautiful four year old!            

My life could not be any sweeter!

As I look forward to spending another Christmas with you, I can’t help but look back at the first Christmas I spent with you.

Only 10 days old, you weighed around 5 pounds 12 ounces. You were 18.5 inches long. Daddy’s uncle got an illness that you could not be around, so Daddy took your big brother and sister over to the family’s house for the evening’s gathering. You and I were left at home together, just the two of us.

I held you the entire time.  I sat, imagining how Mary must have felt, holding the Savior of the world, having no place other than a feeding trough to lay him. It was a marvelous Christmas. Being there, imagining that, with my own small infant in my arms gave me a small understanding be it ever so slight of just how much God loves us.

That He made himself flesh , and humbled Himself to walk with us and die FOR us was made that much clearer to me on your first Christmas, and I am more thankful for you with each Christmas and birthday that has passed since. I am thankful that God gave you to me on this earth.

overwhelmed

overwhelm(ed)….

oʊ vərˈʰwɛlm, -ˈwɛlm/ Show Spelled[oh-ver-hwelm, -welm] Show IPA

–verb (used with object)

1. to overcome completely in mind or feeling: overwhelmed by remorse.

2. to overpower or overcome, esp. with superior forces; destroy; crush: Roman troops were overwhelmed by barbarians.

3. to cover or bury beneath a mass of something, as floodwaters, debris, or an avalanche; submerge: Lava from erupting Vesuvius overwhelmed the city of Pompeii.

4. to load, heap, treat, or address with an overpowering or excessive amount of anything: a child overwhelmed with presents; to overwhelm someone with questions.

5. to overthrow.

If we look, we can probably all find a fitting time to place our self portrait alongside any or all of those definitions of the word overwhelm(ed). Whether we have been the subject or the object of that verb, I am sure we can find a time.

For me that time is now. Funny, though, that I have simultaneously been the subject and the object of the verb overwhelm.

I am overwhelmed. That was a pretty bad thing, until I sat for a moment this morning, coffee in hand and soaked up day 2 of the Advent reader that my church is journeying through together during this season.

The prayer that starts each reading this week says…

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of
darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this
mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great
humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious
majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life
immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Ghost,
one God, now and forever, Amen.

I was so struck by this prayer the last two days. My friend, one of our pastors here, Tom Fuerst has been making it a point lately that Jesus wanted His kingdom to come on earth. Why wait? Why not do things now and live as if He is already here?

You can check out his blog here: http://thefuerstshallbelast.wordpress.com/

I was thinking as I prayed this part of the prayer, “we may rise to the life
immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Ghost,
one God, now and forever, Amen,”  that there is an immortal life that comes after this one. That does not discount or remove the importance of what we do in this mortal life that has immortal impact! It makes it sweeter!

Small things that we do have impact…
                                                                         -a smile given to a stranger
                                                                         - picking up something that a passerby dropped and 
                                                                            handing it back to them.
                                                                         – offering to feed and water your neighbor’s dog while 
                                                                            they are out of town visiting family
                                                                         – asking your children to make a card for someone 
                                                                           who has no family just to show them that you are 
                                                                           thinking of them

I think they lead to bigger things! Your imagination takes off when you start thinking about it!

It really started making me feel a lot less overwhelmed and a lot more energized for everything that I need to do in the waiting when I think about the impact that the little things can have!

You can view the Advent Reader here http://www.mylhumc.net/608463.ihtml  if you would like to take this journey with us. There is also a playlist of songs that we thought would enhance the time spent in reading and prayer.

To My Big Little Girl on Her Birthday

Dear Taterbug,

I cannot believe that you are 9 YEARS old today. 9 YEARS!!! How did that happen?!?!? I feel like I was just getting pictures of you in my belly. I loved you before I laid eyes on you.

It seems like it was yesterday that I went to the doctor for my check-up and he put me in the hospital overnight. “We’re going to monitor your blood pressure,” he said, ” and if it doesn’t stabilize, we’ll be having a baby via c-section in the morning.” So, off to the hospital I went. I didn’t even go home.

I remember that night in the hospital so well. I was 36 weeks along in my pregnancy. I’ll admit that I was a little scared. Would you be healthy? Would you be ok? Would you be able to breathe on your own? At the same time, I was excited about meeting you, seeing your face and holding you in my arms.

The next morning came. Nothing about my blood pressure or blood work numbers changed overnight. 9:00 am…time to meet you. Your Aunt Connie was off work that day, but she came in just to be a part of your delivery. (She still worked at the hospital at that time.)
It was her birthday as well. To this day, the two of you share a special bond including your mutual love of popcorn.

I will never forget the first time I heard your cry. It was music to my ears, loud and strong, and ready to face the world head on. You were a healthy, albeit small, baby girl. We were welcoming Taylor, 4 lbs 6 oz. 17.5 in. long to the world.

You spent a little time in the NICU.

But, after a few days, we were able to bundle you in the carseat and bring you home.

When we first got home, you hated baths.

But after a while, you learned to love them!

Some of the favorite moments of my life have been spent holding you.

In what felt like it could only have been minutes, you were one year old.  You were very dainty and careful with your birthday cake!

The time has continued to fly by and you have become a beautiful young lady who likes to paint her fngernails and accessorize with earrings and belts!
You are a witty girl! Your ability to make me laugh blesses me every day!

You become more beautiful to me inside and out every day I am blessed to be your mommy! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for you. I know that you are going to do great things!
I love you Taylor! Happy Birthday!

Six Years….A Letter to My Son on His 6th Birthday

Dear Christopher,

Six years ago this morning, I got up, got dressed and began my day as any other day.  But, it turned out to be unlike any other day. It turned out to be one of the best days of my life.

I was a very pregnant lady. I was still three weeks from my due date.
I was now seeing the doctor weekly, and that day was one of those appointments.

Like yesterday, I remember lying on the table, listening to that little heartbeat, my heart full of anticipation at the thought of meeting the little person inside my tummy.

Then, the nurse took my blood pressure. The doctor came in and said, “You know, Julie, there is a hurricane coming. Your blood pressure is starting to concern me. We should probably go on in and get this little one delivered.”

Off we went. Along with half of Panama City. (It’s interesting what happens in a maternity ward when there is a hurricane coming…)

We had a C-section scheduled for 4:30 P.M.
I was nervous and excited….

Would your big sister understand that she wasn’t being replaced?

How would everything go with a hurricane coming between that night and the next day?

 This is Hurricane Ivan…
[Hurricane Ivan was the 10th most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded.]

Well, the moment of truth arrived and I was taken to the delivery room.
We didn’t know whether you were a boy or a girl. We waited with baited breath as the doctor delivered our long-awaited miracle. “It’s a…….Boy,” cried the doc as he delivered you. “You should name him Ivan,” was the unison cry of the delivery room!

 ”Absolutely not!”
You did not look like an, “Ivan.”
You look like a Christopher…

Itty-bitty!
You grew really fast!

Before I knew it….

you needed your first haircut…

and then…
you were devouring your first birthday cake, and…
lovingly sliming me with it!
When I opened my eyes…
you were two and had been given a few more haircuts…
And then, I blinked.
You were three, and big enough for a bike!
All of a sudden….
 you were four, not a toddler and in preschool!
(But, my baby was still there. You will always be my baby…)
And then, the day came when we celebrated your fifth birthday…and you rrrreeeeallly learned to like cash for your birthday present from Nena and Da!

And, through it all…
the messes…

and……the antics!!!

…the quiet moments where I simply look at you and think about how blessed I am to be your mommy…

I think about how much fun we’re yet to have, the memories we’re yet to make, and the things we’re yet to learn together, and I thank God for ALL OF IT!!!!!!!

Happy 6th Birthday my sweet, sweet Christopher!

Love,
“Mummy” 

A Story to Remember

Last week I went to visit my parents in South Carolina. I sat one morning over coffee and listened as my 91 year old grandmother told me the story of my grandfather’s enlistment in the Navy during WWII. “Granny,” as I have called her my entire life unfolded the details of this story of their young married life with great detail and  fondness as I hung on every word. She said my grandfather, whom I have always known as Papaw, came home one afternoon and stated that he was going to join the Navy because he knew that he wanted to serve somewhere for his country. So, since there was not a recruiter in the town where they lived, he went to a neighboring town the next day and filled out the paperwork.

All fell into place and it was time for Papaw to leave.

Granny stated that there was a medical screening at the  station before they would allow the enlistees on the train bound for San Diego. I laughed as she told me that my grandfather’s blood pressure was too high and that initially, the medical screener was going to turn him away. I can imagine that just a slight twinge of relief went through her head at the prospect of her husband remaining at her side.  It was however, short-lived as my Papaw was very eager to serve. He said to the medical doctor, “Sir, is there anything I can do?” The medical doctor sent him to the pharmacy nearby and gave him instructions to ask the pharmacist to “give him a shot to bring his pressure down. Then, go to the ice cream shop and have a bowl of ice cream.” Papaw followed those instructions and came back. Presto! His blood pressure was within serving limits. (I knew there was a medicinal purpose for ice cream!)

 Visions of a tearful good-bye danced in my head as I imagined what it must have been like for this young couple to part as my grandfather stepped on the train from Nashville to San Diego for his basic training. Granny recounted hearing from him on the phone 6 weeks later. She said Papaw called her and stated that he had just had the hardest day in his entire life. He said that his whole 6 weeks of basic training had not compared in difficulty to this day. He told my grandmother that Reveillry had played that morning and they had been called out and informed that President Roosevelt would be coming to the base for an inspection that day and that they were to be at their very best. He stated that they had gone out to a training field and had been called to attention from 0630 until sundown, when President Roosevelt made his appearance. (Can you imagine, standing at attention an entire day?) I can’t even fathom it?

As his basic training ended, Papaw was ready for some time at home prior to his next assignment. He called Granny and said, “Well, I have four weeks’ leave. It will take me a week to get there and a week to get back, which will give me two weeks at home. I need you to sell the car so I will have the money to get home and see you.” Granny did just that.

As I sat listening to this story, I thought of how much but how little the world has changed since then. I sat wondering how willing we would be to sell a car nowadays to have two weeks together.  I sat thinking how blessed we are because of the sacrifices that were made then. We don’t have to sell a car to buy a train ticket. But, that is how much it meant to them to spend that time together before he went off to serve. It was very profound to me.

Things My Kids Say 4

I think my kids are probably the best entertainment and joy I can find in this life. I am sure every mother feels that way about her kids. It’s so interesting to see what comes out of their mouths.

That is why I started this series in my blog about the things my kids say. From funny to poingant, I feel they are worth sharing.

That being the case, on to today’s installment, provided by Christopher.

After work today, I walked back to the childcare room where my children were waiting for me to pick them up. When I came toward the room, I noticed that my son was crying. I asked him what was the matter and he informed me that he had crawled around too fast on the carpet in the room pretending to be a puppy and that his leg had gotten a rug burn on it. I looked at his knee and saw that this rug burn was actually bleeding.

My mommy nursing skills kicked in and I immediately offered what I consider to be the best medical aid in the world. I said, “Do you want Mommy to kiss it and make it better?” “No,” Christopher said, “You can kiss my cheek, but I think you should put a band-aid on my knee.”

Well, it seems that the magical kisses of Mommy have been downgraded to only help ease pain a little and will no longer help it go away. Only the almighty Band-aid can make it truly better.

I proceeded to assure him that I would get him a Band-Aid and we made our way out to the car to go home. The children were all buckled in their seats and I drove around to the front of the building where I parked the car and ran into the office and grabbed the magical Band-Aid from the first aid kit.

I brought the Band-Aid out to the car and immediately, Christopher, ever the independent child, said, “I want to do it myself. Just give me the band-aid and I’ll put it on myself.”

I proceeded to do as he wished.  He placed the Band-Aid on his knee and threw the trash in the floor of our ever-messy mini-van. As he was finishing the correct placement of said Band-Aid, I picked up the trash and carried it into the office where I threw it away. This took all of 10 seconds.

When I came back out to the van, my son was hysterical, screaming, “Mommy, I wanted to throw the band-aid trash away, but you did it. I wanted to do it and you did it anyway when I wanted to do it myself!!!!!!”

He was inconsolable. (Mind you that Christopher had not mentioned to me prior to my throwing the Band-aid trash away that he wanted to do it.) I tried to explain to him that he had not told me he wanted to throw the trash away himself, but he wouldn’t hear it. He was solely focused on what he wanted to do, forgetting that he had been allowed to put on his own band-aid, while throwing the trash in the floor of the mini-van.

The crying continued until we got home, at which point I sent him to his “time out place,” to decompress. When he had calmed down, we had a little discussion and he straightened up.

This commotion this afternoon got me to thinking about how many times I want to, “do it myself,” and not rely on God for answers and aid in my everyday life. It reminded me that I want to give myself the reins too many times instead of giving up control.

The funny thing about this is that God gives us the freedom to do it ourselves. He doesn’t force us to rely on Him. But, it is so much sweeter when we do.

Rafting, Spelunking and Supposed Death Wishes Make for Good Vacations Part 2

Where we left off, I had thankfully just been pulled from the “Table Saw,” rapids on the Ocoee, or as I now call it, “River of Near Death.”  I have never had an experience where my life flashed before my eyes. It did while I was half-floating, half-sinking in that river. When I was pulled back into the raft, the guide said, “So, how was it?” I said, “It was awesome!” (Mind you I only felt this way once I was safely back in the raft.)

The next day, we hiked the Stone Door Trail. As I hiked that trail with my daughter, and she marveled at what she saw around her, I thought again about how blessed we are to get to enjoy such a wonderful creation.

Wednesday, Taylor and I went horseback riding. This was a first for both of us. Neither of us has ever been on a horse. It was great to get to experience this for the first time together. I was so blessed to see how excited she was to be on a horse for the first time.  Taylor was really in her element. She was so calm and in control. A child who gets freaked out right now by anything with the syllables “in” and “sect” in it’s name was riding this horse, with huge flies and other winged buzzing friends flying around her and did not flinch. It was a precious sight to behold.

On Thursday, we went to Cumberland Caverns  for a walking tour of the cave. Then, after that, my husband and the kids went back to the state park to swim while I and some others stayed behind to go on a spelunking tour. 

This was a blast. Crawling, climbing and maneuvering through this muddy cave was incredible. I made some new friends and grew closer with some other friends and just had an all-around good time.

I am thankful for vacations, rest and the opportunity that God gives us to rejuvenate and enjoy His creation and one another in so many awesome ways. 

Almost forgot to mention the catfish I caught off the back of our villa…it was EPIC! (exaggerating a bit, but isn’t that what you’re supposed to do with a good fish story?!?)

Rafting, Spelunking and Supposed Death Wishes Make for Good vacations! Part 1

Here we are in our Swaggerwagon after our week-long adventure in the Tennessee mountains, and all I can think about is, rightly, how good God is.

It’s been an active vacation to say the least. No sitting around a cabin to be done here.

The fun began Saturday morning, bright and early with three little kiddos awake and ready to attack the day. My husband opened the curtain in our room, and BOOM, there it was, right in your face! This was a beautiful lake. My youngest girl said immediately, “Daddy, dis is a bwootiful pwace.”

Later came a nice bike ride along the trails at Fall Creek Falls State Park. The bike trails there are great. They are challenging and fun!

We had worship on Sunday morning. After a full morning, we had lunch, then the kids and I went to a place in the park called George Hole. Getting there was an adventure in and of itself. Those who know me well will say that I am directionally challenged. This is true. The trip to George Hole, which would take most people 15 minutes, took me 1 1/2 hours of turning, looping and turning around again. However, there were some truly beautiful sights along the way. With my two youngest children sleeping quietly, my oldest daughter, Taylor and I discussed how beautiful the mountains, trees and waterfalls were. I find that we are truly blessed to enjoy such a magnificent creation.

Then came Monday. We got up bright and early Monday morning to go whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River. I was really looking forward to this as I had taken this rafting trip the last time we were here. There were some class 5 rapids on the portion of the Ocoee that we rafted the last time we came. Being somewhat of a thrill-seeker, this is right up my alley!

Long story short, we had fully loaded rafts, and we had come down the river a good way over some class 4′s. We had been allowed out of the rafts in some calmer water to swim some. I had so much fun! The water was probably 50-60 degrees. I’m not sure, but it took your breath away.

On down the river, our guide says, “we’re coming up on the last two class 4′s of our trip today. This first one we are about to encounter is called, ‘Table Saw.’”

“Wow,” I thought, “This is going to rock!” And rock it did.

As we came over one of the really big rapids, I felt something quite disconcerting. The place in the raft where I had wedged my right foot in order to avoid being ejected had opened just enough for my foot to slip out.

For the split-second I was in the air I thought, “wait a minute. My foot is free.”. About that time, I hit the water, which you may recall, would take your breath away.

As soon as I was up a moment to get my bearings, I could hear screaming around me. But, everytime I tried to get my feet above water and downstream, the current would whip me back around and water would rush over my face. All I could think was, “Get your feet up and don’t panic. Breathe.”

Finally, after what could only have been about one minute, but what felt like 20 minutes, I heard a guide scream, “Swim to the shore!” I turned my head quickly where he was pointing and saw a rock I could grab if I kicked and pulled myself there quickly. So, I kicked, pushed and grabbed that rock with every bit of the adrenaline rush that was pushing me.

I held on until the raft came over. The guide grabbed my jacket by the shoulder strap and yanked me into the raft in a motion that had to have been swifter than the one that threw me from it. I think I actually breathed at that point.

After about five minutes, my raft and guide were beside the raft that I was hitching a ride on. I transferred back and completed the rest of the river trip, just slightly shaken.

I can add to my list, though, that I have now navigated a class 4 rapid without a raft.

Part two of vacation post to come…