(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

All in fun....brotherly love...

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It's My Bloggy Birthday!!!!!!

It's my first bloggy birthday! It probably couldn't have come at a crazier blogging time what with hurricanes and the catch up from all of that, but birthdays just come, ready or not, right?

I must say that my entrance into blogging has alternated between inspiration, reflection and addiction. I had to step away for a little while when it became all-consuming...I mean, I do have a life outside of blogging, and I really want to live that life with every part of me. At those times when I stepped away, I questioned why I was even doing this. Wasn't it just a time-waster?

But then I'd catch a glimpse of three journals sitting beside my scrapbooks...all of them neglected. Who has the time to get out all of those supplies (although I really heart all those supplies!) and to keep up with it all? My goal of writing journals to each of my children was being trampled by thirty little toes (and twenty bigger ones) living out their daily lives.

But blogging...it is my journal to my children--and to my husband and myself. The record of our life together, of the incidentals that we forget along the way. I envision my children as adults raising their own families with books of these journal entries and pictures--remembering what it was like, being encouraged when they think they are the only ones who have lived through these things, realizing how much their mama and daddy loved them in the details.

And reading your blogs has provided me with great inspiration for doing my job better...for being a mom who first seeks the Lord, and then strives to be the best wife and mom that I personally can be. You have tickled my funny bone (sometimes 'til I couldn't catch my breath), made me cry, and encouraged me to step up more fully. Thank you.

So in honor of my first bloggy birthday, I want to recognize a few blogs that I read often and have really inspired me. And I have this little gift for you....



4 Little Men and Girly Twins
Baby Tunnel Exodus
Blogahon
Chaotic Adventures
It's Almost Naptime
Meet Me In the Clubhouse
My Charming Kids
Notes on a Napkin
Our Little Savages
The Queen B


If I haven't been reading yours, leave me a comment, and I'll definitely stop by! And if you're just lurking, leave a comment. And if you here for the first time, leave a comment. In other words, leave a comment! I'll consider it a goody bag from my own birthday party!

Thing That I Wonder...

Why are my toes magnets for my children's shoe-wearing feet?

Why is an iced tea from McDonald's so much better than iced tea that I make at home?

When do we teach the little guy to stand instead of sit? (You know, we're sort
of potty training.)

How many children would be enough?

Why do children love to rub and touch public trash cans, public restroom walls, the hand rail on the entrance ramp at the library?

Why is raunchy, racy viewing so prevalent on television? Why on the Disney
Channel? Why on ABC Family? Why is the entertainment industry pursuing our
children so vigorously? (Okay, I'll move on.)

Why is it easier to be critical than it is to be positive?

Why don't my children love to go to bed ('cause I sure do!)?

Why do 12-year-olds think that they suddenly have all the answers?

What did my husband and I do with all of our time before we had children?

How can I teach a spirit of gratefulness in an ungrateful world?

What happened to patience?

How can we live more simply?

Why are there hungry children?

Why did I wait until I became a mom to appreciate the sacrifices that my parents made for me?

Will my children know the sacrifices that we've made for them?

Does it matter?

A River of My Thoughts Ran Through It All...

And yet I have been unable to get back to posting about any of it. But, it's coming! Over the past couple of weeks, we've had some amazing times, not the least of which was ....
Do you know this girl? This picture was part of an amazing weekend, and I'll be sure to post about it just as soon as I can catch a few zzzzz's and situate my kiddos!

Wordless Wednesday

We will always remember....


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Simplicity

My children are put to bed--Laura, Mary and Kerry. You know--Ingalls.

This is our second day without electricity, and as we said our prayers tonight, the big sister said, "I don't know whether to pray for electricity or not. I like playing 'Little House on the Prairie'...but it would be kinda'nice to have a/c."

Hurricane Ike paid us a memorable visit. But along with downed trees, a saggy, "broken" ceiling and some roof trouble, Ike packed some blessings in his bag. Blessings much bigger than any trouble that he brought to our family. Ike took out our electricity, and along with that, many of our distractions that sometimes keep us from being together even when we are together.

At no time over the past couple of days have we tried to talk to each other over the din of the evening news--or even over the background noise of "Little House on the Prairie". Mom and Dad have not been distracted by checking e-mail or blogging (gasp!). We haven't been rushing to answer phones...our land line has been completely down, and we've only had sporadic service on our cells.

We've been out in the yard today--cleaning up together. I don't think we sat on the couch once. And we even made it to church this morning where the priest and deacon led parishioners in worship in a very dim sanctuary--lit only by candles (and I suspected a flashlight).

Tonight at bedtime, the kids and I played guessing games about what the light from the flashlight looked like on the ceiling. Of course, there were shadow puppets, too. Giggles and laughter bounced off the walls in our bedroom. Little Man fell asleep holding my hand, snuggled up next to me on our bed. His sisters' giggles were his bedtime music. As I tucked the girls into "bed" (a pallet on the floor), they called me "Ma" and chided me for calling them by their real names.

Now, after the kids are asleep I sit by an open window and write by candlelight. I can't help but feel joyful. Life here on the "prairie" is good. There's a different focus here. We like it. The kids like it. My daughter is wondering whether she wants the lights to come back on and all to return to normal. We are nothing if not blessed.

Stand and Take It

We're expecting a visit from Hurricane Ike tonight. All day long, we've been hearing things like "direct hit" and "glancing blow" (which does not seem to be our fate).

Really nothing for us to do except be armed and ready for no electricity, no conveniences, powerful wind and some rain. I thought about taking the kiddos and leaving (hubby was scheduled to work), but I really worried about getting our family stuck in traffic and running out of gas. I'd rather be home with some possible shelter than in that situation.

All day today, people ran back and forth to the stores....last minute batteries, bread, water....Lots of nervous energy in the air. But tonight, neighbors visited in driveways and chatted even as dark overtook the streets. We've done all that we can do. Now all we can do is stand and take whatever Ike brings with him.