A Sunny Gift

What a beautiful weekend. Just fabulous. What a gift.

Since I have discovered (finally submited to) God's call for my life I have appreciated winter a lot more than I used too. I didn't say that I have necessarily enjoyed being cold, but I have appreciated that it is a time for rest. I have not felt mom guilt for having school under covers in warm cozy pajamas. I have not had mom guilt for lying down in the afternoon and taking a little siesta. I have watched my child thrive and grow and learn without being taken on every field trip under the sun. There have been weeks that the only time we have left the house was to go to church!

We have read, and learned to crochet and cross stitch and it has been so rewarding. I pray that Jesus has been pleased and honored in our efforts.

But there came a time when it was getting harder and harder for me not to entertain the when is summer going to be here whine.

And just when we all needed a little reprieve, God blessed us with this wonderful weekend! Letting us not forget that He is the Giver Of All Things Good and He had not forgotten us. The season of newness will be upon us soon!

Of course no doubt I'll be saying the same thing toward the end of summer when my hands are raw from picking, chopping, and canning! But that's okay.

A little moaning, a little groaning, a little responsibility.

Just when I am on the soapbox, I get a letter in the mail updating me on this pretty prominent person's ministry (should I put it in quotes?) comparing The Birth of Jesus, our Messiah, Saviour of the world, to none other than Billy Joel mailing himself to his young daughter one Christmas. For the love peoples. Stop it. Stop being an idiot. And please stop letting me know about it.

*sigh****It's so hard for people of little fault such as myself...

I had the best nap today. You know your Sunday naps are directly proportionate to how spiritual you are. More spiritual=more nap. I must have had a good week.

Seriously, I didn't have a good week. My schedule changed a little and, wait, let's just stop repackaging sin here and call it what it is - I was plain out lazy. I didn't get my rear up out of bed until I was sure I could blame cutting my time alone with Jesus short on the fact that "my schedule changed and I just wasn't used to it yet."

I recently heard in a message, "You're not irresponsible because you're sick, you're sick because you're irresponsible. Take responsibility."

In other words, I may want to look at my life and take some responsibility for some sin I got goin' on.

*groooooan* Everybody is always picking on me. Always.

But God is so kind He still allowed me rest on this day that my family observes as the Sabbath. (and no I don't seriously believe that Sunday naps are related to your Godliness...although it is a good thought and may need to be looked into further...).

There may be a soapbox involved.

I was all alone last night. Poor, poor me. Schyler spent the night with Abbie and my dear hub had to go babysit at the skating rink.

Listen, if you ever want to see firsthand the degradation of the world- go to the skating rink. But you know, the parents have to do something with their kids while they go to the bar. What choice do they have?

I saw an article last week in a newspaper about a local pastor preaching on...Johnny Cash. Now that's what I'm talking about people. You know God's word can't stand alone. Throw in someone honorable and worthy that you really would like to emulate.

I truly wish you all knew me so you could see my scarlet face and bulging carotid artery right now. I DO NOT think it's funny or cute for a "Christian" pastor to preach on Johnny Cash or for parents to drop their kids off so they can return later to pick up their kids when they're good and sauced.

Well, I must digress from being on my high horse here. It is a b-e-a-youteeful day here, praise God for it. I love that just when we think we're going to die (this time from hypothermia), Jesus gives us respite. We don't deserve it, but He gives it. So I must go use His gift wisely.

Have a good weekend and stay away from skating rinks. And preachers that don't preach The Infallible Word of God.


*Sorry - had to edit this to add: I know a lot of you read this blog along with my Aunt Mama Hen's blog. Well, surprise! I didn't really think this through...she just posted about her son, my dear sweet cousin, going to an ice skating rink. Well, totally different. And not just because there is ice involved. Their church rented out the whole thing themselves and they were under the supervision of trusted adults. No dropping and no sauced parents. I would die if I thought anyone thought ill of them for even a moment.

Thi is not good enough, but I'm feeling too much pressure and not enough inspiration.

Anyway, I do this for my own personal satisfaction.

Okay I may have gone too far. I know. What? Me?? Too far?? I left a comment on another blog describing the time I fell asleep while pumping. Yes, that pumping.

Schyler was in the NICU and I was exhausted and I was in the mom room at the hospital. The one where the door doesn't lock. So, yes. I have no idea if someone walked in. Who knows? Maybe someone else is blogging, er, excuse me, writing on their blog about walking in on the woman who fell asleep while pumping.

Can you believe it?? (Yes that was for you. You know who you are.) Why would I ever tell that story to a bunch of people I do not know? Because I am crazy? Why yes.

I read an article by John MacArthur the other day called Cultivating a Godly Child. It talked a little about demonstrating personal sacrifice. Well, lemme tell ya 'bout some personal sacrifice. Tuesday, I got up and got the bloomin' cat to the vet at 7:30 in the morning (because the curse of the woman had come upon her and she had to be taken care of), then, THEN, IN THE RAIN AND COLD, I donned clothes, real honest to goodness appropriate for public clothes, and took the kids to McWane Center for a field trip. Oh I was given permission to back out, but did I? Noooooo.



That's okay. I knew it was going to be worth it about the time my nephew announced, "Mudder! (He thinks my name is Mother, he calls his mom Mama) Mudder! My bottom itches."


We were in one of the glassed in teaching rooms, perfect for echoes. Did I mention this kid has NO low volume? He's wide open or asleep.


I still can't figure out why my husband disagrees with my decision to put lotion on his legs and bottom. They were so dry and flaky. It could be because my lotion had sparkles in it. Should a little boy's bottom not sparkle?



Schyler's got a big sleep-over tonight with Abbie. She is soooo excited because Abbie has everything all planned out. Brandon's working a little while, so it will be just me. I wish Abbie's dad was working so I could have a sleep-over with Aunt Mama Hen and watch the ever satisfying P&P. Except I wouldn't stay all night. That might be a little weird. And I'd have to drive all the way (about 10 minutes) home. In the cold. And dark.


I saw on the news that several northern states are in trouble becaue they have spent their "snow removal budget" and there's a lot more snow. They don't know what to do. How about this - just stay home. Come on. Just go home and get up in your Snuggie and be warm. Is it really that importnat for you to get somewhere?

Have I mentioned that I'm a home-body?

It may be best that God didn't place me in a position of authority in the government. Although school children everywhere would sure love me.

Minivan Convention Here Monday

I am having the moms from our homeschool co-op group over Monday night, so woohoo about that.

Listen peeps - if you're thinking of homeschooling you should do it just for the get togethers. They are few and far between, but when it happens it's an amazing assortment of laughs and yumminess in the area of foodage. This last part I say cautiously since I am in charge of the food this time and there is still plenty of time for things to go awry.

Since sometimes I can kind of be a what am I going to do with him kind of wife. Today can I just say, what would I do without him? I woke up this morning and it was 59 degrees inside - with the heat on. He went outside fixed the heat, then came in and put together my tiered serving tray that, for the love, was a touch difficult, moved the camper (for extra parking), cleaned the leaves away from the front door, worked outside all day, and is now getting ready to go to work. What a guy.

Also, it's admirable how he takes an active role in our homeschool day. Today for example, he has helped Schyler with poetry appreciation: Beans, beans, good for your heart. Beans, beans, make you...

Thanks Dad. Thanks.

Just to be sure, he didn't finish it. We don't say the f word, but hysterical giggles abounded from the known implication.

Well, if you don't have anything to do Monday evening come on over. Just follow the minivans.

It's a good one.

Okay best inventions ever - heated bed products. Mattress pad, blanket, etc. So much more beneficial and useful than antibiotics. Makes my cold nights toasty warm and our cold school days toasty warm. Thank you to my dear husband who knows all it takes is the promise of warmth to win me over and brought home a heated mattress pad for all these cold nights we've been having. Is that biblical? A heated bed product covers a multitude of sins? Hmmm, I'll have to look it up.

If my poor daughter ever works outside the home she is going to be so messed up. Can you imagine her asking her boss,"Okay, so where is the bed? And the electric blanket? I mean I can do all this from the bed. Right??" We don't stay in the bed all the time, but I told you, we're hibernators. Winter is for hibernating.

Another great invention - the crock pot. Mmmmm the crocky goodness. We just got home from our post church fellowship and there were about 15 crock pots lining the counter. There is always sure to be an amazing treat in the crocky goodness. Especially from a small group of reformed baptists. Hollaaaa.

So being without television completely has been good. We've really excelled in handling rattlesnakes. We may take it on the road. Not until the spring thaw, of course.

Anyway...for now, I feel my Sunday nap coming on.

[Insert big ol' whine here]

Oh y'all. I know she didn't. Yes she did.



Yesterday someone told my daughter, "I hope you don't get tangled up with a man too young. You need to go to college and do something to make lots of money. What do you want to do when you grow up?"



To which my seven year old replies, "Maybe a grocery store lady or cookie maker."



*Chuckle* Come on. Who doesn't think that little scanner thingy looks like a ton of fun? And cookie maker? No explanation necessary.



Then came this - "Well whatever you do, you need to make looooots of money. Do you want to be just a wife and mother?"



We walked back to the car, my mind is reeling with how I would counter this, because it's not important whether she makes a ton of money or is "just" a wife and a mother. It's important that she obeys God and follows His plan for her life - whatever that may be. Or it could be reeling from the massive amount of boiling blood pumping through my arteries at this moment.



My daughter looks at me and makes a kind of sad face and says,"I don't think she trusts Jesus."



Okay, so inside- big smile. BIG smile. But I won't lie, a healthy dose of conviction for the thoughts I was having about that woman who just insulted me in front of my child. Was I immediately concerned for her salvation? Noooo. I was too worried about the fact that she had hurt MY pride.



So I'm looking over some blogs I follow, and over at the JC Ryle quote of the day - The Cure for Self Righteousness".



Why does everyone pick on me?

The ice may now commence-

I did it. I had to go to the store for lack of preparedness. I always say, If we would just look in our pantries and freezers, we could live for months. But people never cease to flood the store before a storm.

And this time it was me.

This morning before church I realized I was getting the last roll of toilet paper out and that my mascara was all dry and flaky.

Now I am not about to be caught, quite possibly rehashing the horror of it all on a news camera, with a dirty bee-hind and mascara flaking from here to yon.

So we swung by the local dollar store, which is downright sinful on the sabbath, but seeing as how we are about to be inflicted with a cold and dreary plague, I hope The Good Lord understands my dilemma. And can I just tell you, unless you plan on living off of valentine's day decor and candy, I hope you have ever whatcha need, 'cause they ain't the first thing...the first. thing.

Now I've got to go plant myself under my Pepto pink Snuggie and crochet my little heart away.

Everyone stay safe and warm!

Let's start off with some advice...

1. If there has been a winter weather storm predicted and you live in the south, do not, I REPEAT do not take the movies back that you rented from the kiosk... at Publix. Just suck it up and pay an extra dollar for another night. You may wind up having to get your child therapy after she witnesses a fist fight in the bread aisle.

2. Seriously consider whether or not speaking to the not so happy looking young man will actually bless him or just cause you to quite literally stick your fingers in your child's ears. He could just launch in to a tirade of cussing.

3. If you want to stand and read every title of every new release they have, please let the nice, and quite fashionable, mommy and daughter standing behind you just go ahead and return their movie. It only takes a second, for the love.

We are gearing up for a storm and I am telling you, my family could not be more excited. My husband is Mr. Survival and always has everything covered for any sort of emergency that could ever possibly arise. And the chance to actually get to use the things that his wife always rolls her eyes about, is, well, pretty good for him.

And my daughter, she's 7 so winter weather is fun for her. She has prepared by having me download all the free episodes of "Adventures in Odyssey". Me? I'm neutral I guess. I am not really an anxious type or worrisome. It does not bother me to stay at home for days at a time. I just made a huge pot of chicken and dumplings so we're good. I also am getting better at crochet and I have a new skein of yarn and about 4 books I want to finish. Not to mention if we keep checking the news website I'm pretty sure I can count a school day.

So I got a little off course...

We didn't have cable or satellite until the government decided that we were too dumb to even make decisions about something as brainless as television and forced us to get it.



You know, if the government wants to do idiot things like that and make everyone have the same of everything, how about work on something we would appreciate. Like USB cords. How about everything that has to have a USB cord be the same size so I don't have 50, 000 of them in a drawer.



Or those credit card swipey things at stores. Why can those not all be the same so you don't have to stand there and read the directions at every one of them with your mouth hanging open?



Or...oh. Sorry. I better get back to my original story...


Well, yesterday my husband called to cancel it and y'all, that sweet little girl on the other line said, "You want to...cancel?" As if she couldn't hardly make herself say it! Then added, "Can I just, personally, ask you what you will do for entertainment???" Yes she did!! As if there is absolutely nothing else to do!
I imagine her looking like this -


Girls! It was so funny! He smiled and said, "Well, you know, people do other things."


I tried to get him to say we had really gotten into handling rattlesnakes and we were hoping to be able to focus much more on that.


But I can't ever get him to do anything fun.






Ladies, listen to me here. For I know this is true. If it is so cold that you have to bundle up in your cute little sweaters and hats to go to the Publix, put on some shoes. It is NOT okay to wear flip flops. Should I make some posters and post them around town?







Last night we watched Toy Story 3. How cute was that? I love how Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head promote adoption.



Of course we made a delicious treat of brownies(of which I have a really good and easy recipe for which I will have to share), but don't worry. I'm pretty sure if you are doing a family activity calories don't count.

Check out this scene:

Count 'em - 3 blanket, 2 bears, 1 baby, a pillow pet, and a cat - real, not stuffed. Not to mention about 10 bajillionty pillows. And a dad. All that to watch a movie.

Do this now.

Do yourself a favor and go watch this documentary on YouTube. I don't know how to put videos on my blog, but here's the link to the first one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhoz_nLqMlI&feature=related

I got it from Pursuing Titus 2.

There are six videos, but I promise time will pass and you won't even realize it. So don't watch it if you're supposed to be doing school work with your kids or cooking supper. And make sure you watch the ones posted by "noeuro".

On the fifth one I was a little teary and by the sixth one I was out and out bawling. In a good way, though. Wait until you see the end of the sixth one. The man is evangelizing as they're leaving! (I know I'm speaking in code, but I don't want to give it away.) Can you believe it?!

I can't believe I had the audacity to actually complain today. I am such a schmuck.